Compression Post Update

[Asa Colson]

We worked on the compression post this weekend. We found that the post was not very bad at all. I ended up chiseling 6.5" of the post out. At this level the post was complete and undamaged. I made a .40 treated replacement for the removed portion. I made this piece very tight and had to bang it in with the rubber mallot. I then filled any gaps between the old post and the new section with 3m epoxy filler. On Sunday I went back and fiberglassed the two post sections together. I also epoxy resin coated the entire interior of the old post to help prevent it from being damaged by any water getting in. I sealed the cross memeber with epoxy resin also. I now plan to get to the top of the deck and to solve the source of the problem. I am going to contact the spar manufacturer to see if I can create an inspection hole at the base of the mast to seal the wire hole. If not then next season we will pull the mast and fix it then.Ace

 

[Joe Dickson]

Access port etc.

Having just gone through this with our boat, I would not put off sealing the leak topside. While it sounds like you have addressed your compression post and crossmember issues, continued leaking could affect the coring, which can also run into big repair dollars. Before I found the problem with our crossmember, I had scheduled with the yard to lift the mast enough to let me get in and seal the nipple where the mast electrical goes through the deck. Perhaps you have a yard that could do the same. Check the photo forum for a post on an access port at the base of the mast. The hole does not appear to be very big, but at least you have the ability to inspect the connectors and the seal for the electrical. If you do have luck getting a yard to lift your mast to reseal the nipple, cut the port at the same time. That way you can ensure that nothing internal to the mast is cut in the process...Good luck