Worked 3 days to uncover the compression post on my 1980 37' and had some bad news: severe corrosion and pitting on the bottom 8" or so (from the iron step, of course). The step, though rusted, probably has quite a few years left; there doesn't seem to be any sag in the bolts that hold it to the bulkheads; but the post is another--disturbing--matter. I think the easiest, least expensive fix is to have an aluminum sleeve welded around the bottom, say 15" high, with a dialectic material between it and the step (I'd have to support/jack up the mast to do this, though, which wouldn't be easy).
I first thought of replacing the post and the step but that would mean unstepping the mast, not to mention the cost of fabricating both which one alum. guy estimated would be around $1,000. It's just too much money when this wasn't even on my original 'to-do' list.
Any comments or suggestions?
I first thought of replacing the post and the step but that would mean unstepping the mast, not to mention the cost of fabricating both which one alum. guy estimated would be around $1,000. It's just too much money when this wasn't even on my original 'to-do' list.
Any comments or suggestions?