Compression post support block

[Joel H.]

Greetings to everyone here.
My name is Joel, I live in Chicago, and I'm a new member of this forum.
I'm happy to say, I just put a deposit on an old (but good) 1978 C27 and so I expect to become a frequent visitor on this forum.
Of course in the lead-up to this purchase, I spent a lot of time here reading old posts and learning what to look for when buying a C27. So consequently, I was well aware of the keel bolt/"Catalina Smile" issue. Luckily I was able to score a solid C27 with a minimal "smile" and totally intact bolts.
Here is a question though.
What I had noticed on all of the nastier boats in my search, is that the "Compression Post Support Block" located in the front of the bilge, is exposed and wet . It looks like the block has expanded and pushed through the resin at the front of the bilge. I don't remember anything about this as an issue in all my reading here. I ask this because the boat I just purchased is developing this condition also. Is this a non-issue or is there a fix I missed in my studies?
If anyone who can bring me up to speed on this I would relly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance, Joel H.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Many of the C27s of that vintage were built with a wooden support column block which inevitably gets wet and rots. Not a perceptive construction choice but that is how they were built. If yours is among that group, the only solution is to remove the rotted support block and replace it with a proper support.

 

[Joel H.]

Thanks for the reply Don. Yes I'm going to start looking for a Nylon block or something of that nature. I see this stuff that they use for countertops and shower stalls that is a thick plastic/Nylon type material. I think I'll try to find some pieces of that to have around for the next time I step the mast. I was also thinking a shaped piece of that might be perfect to replace the plywood layer under the keel bolts?!
Thanks again, Joel H.