Hey all, I'm new to sailing and got my first boat about a month and a half ago. I noticed last week when I was out at the boat that the compression post was wet to the touch on the right side and the seat cushion by the table was wet. I've been trying to find some info on how to troubleshoot this leak and any solutions but I'm not having any luck so far. The only thing I can find is talk about a drip loop so any water that gets inside the mast goes down that? I'm attaching a couple pictures of what I found. Does anyone know what I can do to stop this? I'm assuming this would become a problem if I don't fix it? (rotting compression post wood? What would be the damage if not fixed?). Thanks in advance
Catalina 27 compression post / mast leak
- Thread starter esellwood
- Start date
look at the topside. Is the deck sunk in around the mast base? I would guess leaking mast step/base hardware allowing water to penetrate around it and the deck to be soft and water logged.
A drip loop is meant to protect electrical connections from getting wet. But it doesn't prevent leaking. Simply put it is a loop of wire below the connections from which water running down the wire would drip off before the loop turns upward to the connection box, bus or crimp.
A frequent source of leaking are wires passing through the deck, and hardware passing into, or through the deck. Getting moisture in the core of the deck will cause rot in the core softening it. That is a terrible thing to happen in the mast area where the mast is putting compression from the rigging on the deck.
The compression post can stand up to some of that dripping but it is at risk. What's worst is the base at the bilge end of the compression post which in some boats is fiberglasss over a wood core. Water from the bilge (Not necessarily from the drip) eventually seeps into the core and causing softening. Again rigging compression will collapse the compression post base and undermine support for the mast. If water pools around the mast. or your shrouds have been gradually tightened so the turnbuckles are near the end of their range, you may have a problem.
Catalina owners on this forum will know details of your build far better than I. Stay tuned.
A frequent source of leaking are wires passing through the deck, and hardware passing into, or through the deck. Getting moisture in the core of the deck will cause rot in the core softening it. That is a terrible thing to happen in the mast area where the mast is putting compression from the rigging on the deck.
The compression post can stand up to some of that dripping but it is at risk. What's worst is the base at the bilge end of the compression post which in some boats is fiberglasss over a wood core. Water from the bilge (Not necessarily from the drip) eventually seeps into the core and causing softening. Again rigging compression will collapse the compression post base and undermine support for the mast. If water pools around the mast. or your shrouds have been gradually tightened so the turnbuckles are near the end of their range, you may have a problem.
Catalina owners on this forum will know details of your build far better than I. Stay tuned.
First two replies are very good!
Also, I would guess that such an issue (for a deck stepped spar) was referenced in the purchase survey. You should read thru the survey again -- I hope no other labor intensive problems were overlooked.
Also, I would guess that such an issue (for a deck stepped spar) was referenced in the purchase survey. You should read thru the survey again -- I hope no other labor intensive problems were overlooked.
There was no purchase survey when I bought the boat.Also, I would guess that such an issue (for a deck stepped spar) was referenced in the purchase survey. You should read thru the survey again -- I hope no other labor intensive problems were overlooked.
That is unfortunate. Expensively unfortunate. In the future, you will know better.
** Of course, like the rest of us, we then go out and make new mistakes!
On the plus side, you are about to gain/practice some new skills and learn useful boat repair techniques.
Good luck!
** Of course, like the rest of us, we then go out and make new mistakes!
On the plus side, you are about to gain/practice some new skills and learn useful boat repair techniques.
Good luck!