Cracks at the base of the mast

[Santiago Vizcaino]

We recently bought a 31"Hunter1985 in Venezuela and I saw some cracks below the deck just where the base of the mast is. Checking those cracks very carefully, I noticed that the mast had come down almost one inch. It is difficult to see it from the top but below the deck it is more evident that the ceiling of the cabin, especially the area of the base of the mast and one square feet to the stern have some cracks where the post or column of wood which supports the mast have some bubbles and cracks indicating that there is something pushing the ceiling from the top.I would like to know if someone has had the same problem or have possible technical advice for it, due to the reason that in Venezuela it is difficult to find qualified people to tell me what I should do to solve that kind of problem. Thanks a lot,Santiago Vizcaino.

 

[Barry]

Common Problem - Bad News

The wood compression post inside the boat below the mast frequently rots due to water leakage where the mast wires enter post. There is a lot of information in the archives of this site. In the photo forum there are pictures of a rebuild on a h34 which is a similiar design. It's a big expensive job to correct this problem.Barry

 

[Bob Howie]

Compression post problems

Barry's right; there's no simple, cheap fix for this. Obviously, your compression post has had it and needs replacing...or the base of your compression post where it joins the cabin sole and then the support underneath it in the bilge area needs to be looked at. This is where your problems are. Either way, you are going to have to take your mast and rig down and replace the compression post. I would recommend you fabricate a stainless steel compression post where it joins the cabin roof and runs all the way down to your keep. It'll never rot and it's a sound, permanent fix; one that Hunter and others have opted for in later boats. If the gel coat is cracked on your deck and not just depressed, you are going to have to have someone take a hard look at that to make sure your core's not been affected to the extent it's delaminating and possibly rotting too. If that is the case, you're going to have to open up the deck where the mast step sits, dig out the damage and replace it. Good luck.

 

[Bob Rutland]

Another way

This is a very common problem. This is how I fixed my 84 H31 very inexpensively and without dropping the mast.First you need to remove the cosmetic teak compression post cover(if it is wedged, you might need to loosen you rigging). This is done by poping the wood plugs that cover the screws(head door jam side). Remove the screws and the cover. Inside you will find the "real" compression post, probably rotton at the top and bottom. All this wood needs to be removed. Next seal where the wires enter the cabin. I manufactured a new compression out of a pressure treated 4x4 post ripped down to aprox. 3x3 and cut a bit longer so it could be wedged in place. I also cut a chanel down the front to run the wires.So far so good. I made this repair three years ago. Good Luck, Bob

 

[Bob Howie]

But, why wood?

My only question on this is why put back the very same material that caused the original problem? Of course, pressure-treated wood is extremely rot-resistant -- more so than the original -- but I have seen a number of mods when this problem occurred and in my own case, I used the steel post, which is the way Hunter is now doing it on the new 30s. For aesthetics, one could cover the steel post in wood like the original compression post, but what other problems might that hide? Of course, replacing the wood box would let you hide any wiring.