Depressed mast step

[NICK NAPPI]

I have a 1973 O'Day 22 that I bought in January and sailed all summer. When I unstepped the mast to get the boat ready for winter I noticed that the deck around the tabernacle is sunken about 1/8". It may have been there when I bought the boat, but I never noticced it. Is this something to be concerned with or is it normal. The floor under the compression post and the top of the bulkhead looks fine.

 

[Joe11688]

I have a 1973 O'Day 22 that I bought in January and sailed all summer. When I unstepped the mast to get the boat ready for winter I noticed that the deck around the tabernacle is sunken about 1/8". It may have been there when I bought the boat, but I never noticced it. Is this something to be concerned with or is it normal. The floor under the compression post and the top of the bulkhead looks fine.

Water may have got into the core under the tabernacle and rotted it. You may need to remove the tabernacle and search for soft spots around the bolt holes. If it is rotted out, you're going to need to dig it out and replace the core. Then you'll need to reconstruct that area. That mast tabernacle needs to go back exactly in that same spot so it would be wise to set up reference marks that will allow you to do this later. One of the guys on the forum had to do this to his O'Day 26 just last year and his repair came out very well.

 

[Johan S.]

You sailed it all summer and it never buckled or swung itself from what could be a rotted area.. That says a lot in itself.. With the rig stepped up - I would pull on the bottom of the mast ( horizontally ) and see if it starts flexing or moves. Does it want to swing out? Is the tabernacle set in place securely? If it is then I wouldnt worry about it.. Just caulk the area up so no more water gets in there.. Parts of the core could be rotted or parts may have given way a little bit..

 

[RichBone]

Lots of old sailboats (including many on this forum) have the problem of the core rotting under the mast step. If it's starting to depress it's probably rotting. It's a matter of how large an area that's affected.

Here is what mine looked like-

Rich

 

[NICK NAPPI]

mast step

Mine looks to be a little less severe,did you repair yours, if so does the fiberglass have to be cut away to repair? Thanks for the info.

 

[RichBone]

My cabin top is cored with 1/2" end grain balsa and 1/2" plywood under the mast tabernacle. First try drilling a few of 1/4" holes under the tabernacle to see if there is any water intrusion. Be careful to only drill into the core. If it's wet you'll have to find out the extent of the intrusion and remove the top skin and replace the core. Check the archives, we've had past posts on the repairs.
Don't worry there's plenty of help here.
You should also check all of the thru-deck holes for leaks. Lifeline stanchions, chainplates, pulpit bases.

Rich

 

[emergpa1]

You sailed it all summer and it never buckled or swung itself from what could be a rotted area.. That says a lot in itself.. With the rig stepped up - I would pull on the bottom of the mast ( horizontally ) and see if it starts flexing or moves. Does it want to swing out? Is the tabernacle set in place securely? If it is then I wouldnt worry about it.. Just caulk the area up so no more water gets in there.. Parts of the core could be rotted or parts may have given way a little bit..

Hi Johan,
could you elaborate a little on the phrase " Just caulk the area up "?
keith

 

[NICK NAPPI]

My cabin top is cored with 1/2" end grain balsa and 1/2" plywood under the mast tabernacle. First try drilling a few of 1/4" holes under the tabernacle to see if there is any water intrusion. Be careful to only drill into the core. If it's wet you'll have to find out the extent of the intrusion and remove the top skin and replace the core. Check the archives, we've had past posts on the repairs.
Don't worry there's plenty of help here.
You should also check all of the thru-deck holes for leaks. Lifeline stanchions, chainplates, pulpit bases.

Rich[/quote Thanks for the info, I will try this. Very helpful information, thanks for the help.

 

[emergpa1]

Mine looks to be a little less severe,did you repair yours, if so does the fiberglass have to be cut away to repair? Thanks for the info.

Hi Nick
This thread should help you to read through it, there should be some good pictures there. The thread(s) listed here should be a great starting point for making your repair.

http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=106715
http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=109255

(Also you can see other threads related to this by going to my public profile page, and looking at the middle of the page for the tab statistic, the look at "threads started by emergpa". you can also see other photos under my photo album on public profile page)

The repair itself is easy and straight forward for the most part. The hard part is figuring out how to do it. And it only requires basic tools and skills. Best of all it is a great project to teach the the basic skills you need to do pretty much anything to your boat!

Once you get these skills you can fix any leak and have what we all want: a DRY BOAT. Thats right, one of those good old boats that is nice and dry on the inside no matter how much rain. NO musty smells, damp cushions or molded carpet.
Keith

 

[emergpa1]

When you decide to tackle the job, we can begin to share more detailed information such as what book(s) would be helpful, where to get supplies (online), etc.

 

[Johan S.]

Hi Johan,
could you elaborate a little on the phrase " Just caulk the area up "?
keith

2 ways to do it

Lazy way - Go to Home Depot and buy some silicone and pull the trigger and let it flow all over the tabernacle. Done!

Not so lazy way - Take the tabernacle off, clean the area out with acetone. ( I use carb cleaner) If its pretty solid and not so spongy - drill some 1/2" holes and pour epoxy resin fast set into all the holes. Basically, just turn that area into a piece of plastic.. re-bed tabernacle with butyl rubber - done..

If its completely rotted, cut it all out and resin a piece of oak in there.. I have done all 3 and all 3 have worked