Hello All, This past weekend my 1982 Oday 34 experienced a mast step failure. This resulted in the mast dropping through the “step” and ending up sitting on the keel. We have removed the mast and are now contemplating a repair. My question is has anybody out there seen this failure before and if so what was the repair? My initial thoughts are to install a block of teak or other wood between where the mast originally sits and the keel. In this repair the block would rest on the top of the keel and the mast base bracket would be mounted to the top of the block which would be flush to where the mast originally sat. This whole affair would be glassed in to the basic structure. Could you share your thoughts on this idea? Thank you in advance for any ideas.
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Step failure
My thoughts are you are very lucky the mast didn't come down on you or someone else. I would be reluctant to repair it. There is a reason it came down. Structural failure. What else is weak? Water intrusion in the hull and deck. Chain plates may also be weak. Good luck and be careful1 You shouldn't have to wear a helmet to go sailing. SH
My thoughts are you are very lucky the mast didn't come down on you or someone else. I would be reluctant to repair it. There is a reason it came down. Structural failure. What else is weak? Water intrusion in the hull and deck. Chain plates may also be weak. Good luck and be careful1 You shouldn't have to wear a helmet to go sailing. SH
O'Day 34
I'm not too familiar with the O'Day 34, Kenny. Doesn't it have a compression post under the mast down in the cabin? I've seen pictures of the inside of the 34 but to me, there should be some kind of compression post under the mast. Perhaps if you dig out the area around the mast step, reconstruct it, and beef up this post under the mast, you'll get it back in shape again. You may want to have a Boatyard check it out and get a price on what it will cost to reconstruct the cabin and install a new step. I'm sure that he'll tell you what they would have to do to get it back into shape. Then at least you'll have some kind of an idea. Even a boat surveyor might give you some answers. Good Luck.
I'm not too familiar with the O'Day 34, Kenny. Doesn't it have a compression post under the mast down in the cabin? I've seen pictures of the inside of the 34 but to me, there should be some kind of compression post under the mast. Perhaps if you dig out the area around the mast step, reconstruct it, and beef up this post under the mast, you'll get it back in shape again. You may want to have a Boatyard check it out and get a price on what it will cost to reconstruct the cabin and install a new step. I'm sure that he'll tell you what they would have to do to get it back into shape. Then at least you'll have some kind of an idea. Even a boat surveyor might give you some answers. Good Luck.
step
If its like a 31, the step kind of straddles the keel. Is that the way it is on the 34? If that's the case, I don't think i would want to modify it so the pressure from the mast is directly on the keel. Could you cut out the old step, make a new one and install it similar to the old?
If its like a 31, the step kind of straddles the keel. Is that the way it is on the 34? If that's the case, I don't think i would want to modify it so the pressure from the mast is directly on the keel. Could you cut out the old step, make a new one and install it similar to the old?
Step Failure
Hi Guys, The Oday 34 is billed as a keel stepped mast but the mast isn't actually stepped to the keel. It comes through the cabin into the bilge where is sits on top of a metal base plate which in turn is mounted on a piece of wood fiberglassed into the basic structure of the boat. This step is what gave way. To make things more interesting I was sailing alone, beating into 20 to 25 kts when it happened and yes I feel very fortunate that the mast didn't come down on top of me. I can tell you that watching your mast leaning over 25 to 30 degrees will pucker up a certain part of the anatomy. Anyway, I think I've just about got the repair figured out in my head, now it's just a matter of getting it done. I am still very receptive to any ideas that y'all might have. Thanks, KC
Hi Guys, The Oday 34 is billed as a keel stepped mast but the mast isn't actually stepped to the keel. It comes through the cabin into the bilge where is sits on top of a metal base plate which in turn is mounted on a piece of wood fiberglassed into the basic structure of the boat. This step is what gave way. To make things more interesting I was sailing alone, beating into 20 to 25 kts when it happened and yes I feel very fortunate that the mast didn't come down on top of me. I can tell you that watching your mast leaning over 25 to 30 degrees will pucker up a certain part of the anatomy. Anyway, I think I've just about got the repair figured out in my head, now it's just a matter of getting it done. I am still very receptive to any ideas that y'all might have. Thanks, KC
Step failure
Richard, you are exactly right it's just like the 31. Thats my biggest question; Can that area above the keel take the pressure if I use a wood block sitting on it acting like a compression post? There just doesn't seem like there is enough surface area left in the original area to bond enough fiberglass to take the pressures it would need to take. KC
Richard, you are exactly right it's just like the 31. Thats my biggest question; Can that area above the keel take the pressure if I use a wood block sitting on it acting like a compression post? There just doesn't seem like there is enough surface area left in the original area to bond enough fiberglass to take the pressures it would need to take. KC
sounds like it was constructed like the 30
i had a similar failure on my 1979 30. go to the reviews for the oday 30 and read my review on how i fixed the problem permanently. i repaired mine about 16 years ago and it still shows no signs of movement. S/V Que Pasa?
i had a similar failure on my 1979 30. go to the reviews for the oday 30 and read my review on how i fixed the problem permanently. i repaired mine about 16 years ago and it still shows no signs of movement. S/V Que Pasa?
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