IMG 1369 Note bottom two inches of PVC wiring conduit showing some previous water "level" inside the post box. Catalina factory drills a hole down through the post support and into the bilge so the mast wires can continue back to the nav station switches. Rain comes down the wires, and over time, rots the block.
IMG 1581 After removing the wet plywood, then layering fiberglass mat and roving per Catalina's repair specifications, I then added two 1/2" layers of G-10 board. Used 1/2 blue foam for making templates and then cut the G-10 to match the shape and keelbolt hole positions. I staggered the two layers so the joints between pieces were never in the same location.
014 Home-made gantry with come-along. Adult-size, erector set strut material is available at HD/Lowes. Bolt it up, protect the fiberglass deck and you're ready. The mast needs to taken off to do the compression post support repairs, so using the boom to lift the 325lb motor wasn't an option. After disconnecting wiring, shaft flange, exhaust and engine mounts, it was up on blocks, inside the boat, in 30 minutes. A one person job.
IMG 1230 This rot damage came from water down the mast over time. My 1984 Catalina 30 masthead fitting is open to the sky at the top! Since I had the mast pulled to do this compression post repair, it now has an aluminum plate to cover the opening. Note the hole that the mast wiring came through, in the upper left part of the wood.
IMG 1369 Note bottom two inches of PVC wiring conduit showing some previous water "level" inside the post box. Catalina factory drills a hole down through the post support and into the bilge so the mast wires can continue back to the nav station switches. Rain comes down the wires, and over time, rots the block.
IMG 1372 Aft compression post board removed. It is screwed and glued. Work a sturdy, new, sharp putty knife carefully up the joint. After opening the seam (quite a lot), I speeded things apart using a Rockwell SonicCrafter. Recommend it or a similar Fein "Multi-Tool" highly
IMG 1374 Looking aft, bolts looking good. Plywood was wet though. Two 3/4" sheets for a total plywood depth of 1.5". The last keel bolt is under the engine.
IMG 1357 Used hand chisels, flat wrecking bar, 3lb hand sledge, Rockwell SonicCrafter, 4" grinder w/ diamond cutting wheel, and the month of February.
R

IMG 1369 Note bottom two inches of PVC wiring conduit showing some previous water "level" inside the post box. Catalina factory drills a hole down through the post support and into the bilge so the mast wires can continue back to the nav station switches. Rain comes down the wires, and over time, rots the block.

There are no comments to display.

Media information

Album
Belly of the Beast
Added by
rbmcintire
Date added
View count
359
Comment count
0
Rating
0.00 star(s) 0 ratings

Image metadata

Filename
11710-1298817805-ba7a7cd7332b86efdcad409d0e41d1d2.jpg
File size
28.2 KB
Dimensions
450px x 600px

Share this media

Top Bottom