Please help! I'm in the middle of replacing the port side bulkhead on my 1977 O'day 25 due to the usual chainplate problems that we see on this model. When I pulled the mast compression post out, I noticed that it was glassed in in the bilge area. Heavily glassed in!! Due to some rot, the post broke out. I now have to grind down the glass buildup. It's obviously going to take some elbow grease. Has anyone over done this before?? What tools are good for this job? How far down should I grind this stuff? Help. -Todd
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Looks worse that it is
Todd, You're probably better off that the post broke, at least now you can remove the bulkhead and have some room to work. Mine was not glassed in per say rather it was in a pool of resin/filler mix that was held in place by a small glass wall. I had to carefully chip away the mixture with a mallet and chisel takeing extra care not to nick the c/b trunk. Since your post is out of the way a small grinder probably will do the job nicely. The c/b trunk is easy to identify so that you don't start grinding on that. You will need to rig a jack to push the cabin top up about 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch for the reinstall of the post. Do not screw the port bulkhead in place and remove the top screws of the starboard one before you start to apply pressure to the cabin top. Get the post in place and the release the pressure on the jack. I just replaced the resin mixture after everything was aligned and screwed back in. Your original comment about elbow grease is correct, but the job itself is pretty straight forward. Good luck! PM
Todd, You're probably better off that the post broke, at least now you can remove the bulkhead and have some room to work. Mine was not glassed in per say rather it was in a pool of resin/filler mix that was held in place by a small glass wall. I had to carefully chip away the mixture with a mallet and chisel takeing extra care not to nick the c/b trunk. Since your post is out of the way a small grinder probably will do the job nicely. The c/b trunk is easy to identify so that you don't start grinding on that. You will need to rig a jack to push the cabin top up about 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch for the reinstall of the post. Do not screw the port bulkhead in place and remove the top screws of the starboard one before you start to apply pressure to the cabin top. Get the post in place and the release the pressure on the jack. I just replaced the resin mixture after everything was aligned and screwed back in. Your original comment about elbow grease is correct, but the job itself is pretty straight forward. Good luck! PM
same boat
I am in the same boat. I plan on starting this project this weekend. Can you explain what the mast compression post is? I have a 76 25 fixed keel and had chainplate failure as a result of bulkhead dry rot. Thanks Paul W
I am in the same boat. I plan on starting this project this weekend. Can you explain what the mast compression post is? I have a 76 25 fixed keel and had chainplate failure as a result of bulkhead dry rot. Thanks Paul W
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
what is it
The mast compression post is the post that spans betweenthe bottom of the mast and the sole of the cabin. It prevents the mast from being pulled down through the cabin roof by the shrouds and forestay.
The mast compression post is the post that spans betweenthe bottom of the mast and the sole of the cabin. It prevents the mast from being pulled down through the cabin roof by the shrouds and forestay.
In response to Paul "same boat"
Paul- As stated above, the mast compression post is the post that runs through the cabin directly under the mast. Think of it as the frame that your portside bulkhead is attached to. It looks like a 2 x 4 with a dado routed out for the bulhead to fasten to. You won't be able to take the bulkhead out without removing the post. Down in your bilge, you'll see where the base of the post is epoxied in. It wasn't difficult getting the post out, but my post broke off at the base and ai need to grind down all of that extra epoxy before I put a new post in. Again, a car jack with a 2x4 putting slight upward pressure on the cabin roof makes it easy to work the post and the bulkhead out. I'm heading down to the boat to finish the job now. If I don't make it back EVER AGAIN, thank you all for your advice.
Paul- As stated above, the mast compression post is the post that runs through the cabin directly under the mast. Think of it as the frame that your portside bulkhead is attached to. It looks like a 2 x 4 with a dado routed out for the bulhead to fasten to. You won't be able to take the bulkhead out without removing the post. Down in your bilge, you'll see where the base of the post is epoxied in. It wasn't difficult getting the post out, but my post broke off at the base and ai need to grind down all of that extra epoxy before I put a new post in. Again, a car jack with a 2x4 putting slight upward pressure on the cabin roof makes it easy to work the post and the bulkhead out. I'm heading down to the boat to finish the job now. If I don't make it back EVER AGAIN, thank you all for your advice.
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