Accessing Deck Under Mast....Ideas?

[gwp]

I suspect my deck core is getting wet from a failed mast wire deck hole seal. I'm wondering if it's possible to avoid hoisting the mast at a marina. Has anyone ever tried loosening all shrouds and stays, and lift the mast off it's step, and lash it slightly to the side to access the hole in the deck? I know the danger....just wondering if anyone's been brave enough to try. Thanks

 

[Steve Dion]

How much money do you have?

I am just wondering how much money you have. If you drop the mast it will probably cost you 50% of the boats value. I you have the mast probably lifted it will probably cost you $300 to R/R it.So how much money do you really have?

 

[Hugh McCully]

Only One Way

There is only one way to make that repair and that is with the mast off the boat. That is easier to say as one of those who removes the mast each fall!I found wetness in the area under the mast step on my H28. There was well over a square foot of wet deck core that was replaced on my boat. Catch it early and do it right -with the mast off!

 

[Brian M H23]

The only way

I can think that this could be done, is if you treated the foot of the mast to a hydraulic ram, like a racing boat. I can't tell you how much work it would take, but you need some sort of track for the mast to slide in fixed rigidly to the mast and the deck, and a movable ram pushing fore/aft on the mast. then you could possibly slide it forward, acces the wire hole, and still have all the shrouds tensioned to some degree. If, however,you are replacing a section of deck core, you dont have any deck to support the mast. You need to get it removed if you want to do any core replacement

 

[Gary]

Oh well....

No harm in asking. Hopefully, it won't be necessary, but if so, I'll do it right. Thanks much.....Gary