Compression Post "Blob": What is it?

[Wandering Cs]

Problem: My 1969 P33, with it's deck stepped mast and compression post has a "blob" of something supporting the post, i.e.; between the post and hull. Over the years this "blob" has squished some and it is now time to fix the problem. Both the deck and compression post are in good shape. What needs done is raising the post and replacing the material under it, which I should be able to handle. A local yard estimates between $1500 and $2000 to do the job. Having two months available this spring, I can think of other things to spend that money on.Question: Has anyone else experienced this problem? What material is this "blob" made from? What could be used to replace it which would handle the pressure.Thanks for any and all help... JR

 

[Dan Pfeiffer]

Maybe a blob of resin/fibers that they glopped in to get the bottom of the post to the right level. I suppose it doesn't really matter. First idea...I expect you can remove the post? Then I would chip/break/grind out the blob and get down to the hull. Then you could epoxy in a block of fibergass mad from stacking up pieces cut from something like the fiberglass panels you can get from Mcmaster Carr. Go to mcmaster.com and put in part # 8537K25. That's a 1/4" thick. It comes thicker and thinner I think. Glue up a block from pieces using epoxy. Then tweak the thickness with layers of biax tape to get it just right. You could just build up with biax and epoxy but you might start a fire if it gets too thick too fast. You could do about 3/8", let that set and add another. See the epoxy guides to get the timing of all that right to get good bonding.Dan Pfeiffer