I had to rewire for new wind instrumentation. The mast was down and I had to wire through the step. I thought it would be prudent to check and see if my boat (Hunter 31') was affected by the dreaded "compression post rot" disease. After drilling out the teak plugs in the head door jamb and partially removing the jamb, I can happily report that the boat is free of the dreadded rot problem. There appears to be a nicely machined piece of wood stock serving as a post with a channel for wiring. There is no sign of water infiltration. The spigot where the wires exit the step was sealed very well. It will be re-sealed again when complete. Apparently not all Hunter 31' suffer from the compression post problem. Mine even seemed to exhibit a few of the symptoms (very fine, almost undetectable hairline crack in the crossmember gelcoat, some strange discoloration.) The boat is a 1985, originally purchased in Lake Erie, near Sandusky, OH. It has made its home in Lake Ontario for the last 5 years.
Hunter Compression Post Rot
- Thread starter pimerese
- Start date
- Status
Think is was a function of dealers...
Congrats on no damage. I've heard that sealing the mast step was a dealer function on commissioning and that's where the problem arose. I'm sure there are many aspects to who/what/how, but sounds like you definitely got a well prepared boat.
Congrats on no damage. I've heard that sealing the mast step was a dealer function on commissioning and that's where the problem arose. I'm sure there are many aspects to who/what/how, but sounds like you definitely got a well prepared boat.
my 31 has same symptons
I checked my compression post last year when I bought the boat and found it to be in great shape. However, I noticed that there is a minor crack in the interior gelcoat on the crossmember. On the outside by the mast step there are 2 minor cracks in the gelcoat and the area around the mast step seems to be darker in color. Is that what you noticed on yours? The bottom line is that I sailed all last season and didn't notice any change in the cracking.
I checked my compression post last year when I bought the boat and found it to be in great shape. However, I noticed that there is a minor crack in the interior gelcoat on the crossmember. On the outside by the mast step there are 2 minor cracks in the gelcoat and the area around the mast step seems to be darker in color. Is that what you noticed on yours? The bottom line is that I sailed all last season and didn't notice any change in the cracking.
Same Symptoms...pretty much
Yes Steve, I have those symptoms except for the discoloration aroung the mast. The hairline cracks in the cross member and around the mast have been there since I have owned the boat (about 5 yrs). They have gotten no worse in that time and they do not appear to leak. I have similar cracks in the cockpit area around the perimiter and around the wheel pedestal. The only discoloration I see is on the face of the crossmember, aft side, near the mast area, a section about 15-18 inches long. It almost looks like a gellcoat repair with poorly matched color (maybe there WAS a problem or a larger crack at some time that has since been repaired?). There are also four holes drilled into the crossmember, toward the port side to facilitate wiring. I see no sign of rot in there either. One less thing to keep me up at night I guess.
Yes Steve, I have those symptoms except for the discoloration aroung the mast. The hairline cracks in the cross member and around the mast have been there since I have owned the boat (about 5 yrs). They have gotten no worse in that time and they do not appear to leak. I have similar cracks in the cockpit area around the perimiter and around the wheel pedestal. The only discoloration I see is on the face of the crossmember, aft side, near the mast area, a section about 15-18 inches long. It almost looks like a gellcoat repair with poorly matched color (maybe there WAS a problem or a larger crack at some time that has since been repaired?). There are also four holes drilled into the crossmember, toward the port side to facilitate wiring. I see no sign of rot in there either. One less thing to keep me up at night I guess.
careful.....
I have the same minor cracks. Post looked great on initial inspection. After removal it was found to be rotten at the bottom. The wood used for the interior of the post is a joke. Almost as light as balsa! I would be sure to REALLY check it out since it is such an easy/cheap fix. We are just finishing up a minor restoration. New post, head, waste lines, seacocks, cushions, lifelines, sink in head/fixture/mirrors, refinished sole, new furler, lotsa gelcoat work, fixed windows, bottom blast and barrier coat and a load of other stuff. She goes in the water next week. This site and all you guys have been an unbelievable resource. Thanks!
I have the same minor cracks. Post looked great on initial inspection. After removal it was found to be rotten at the bottom. The wood used for the interior of the post is a joke. Almost as light as balsa! I would be sure to REALLY check it out since it is such an easy/cheap fix. We are just finishing up a minor restoration. New post, head, waste lines, seacocks, cushions, lifelines, sink in head/fixture/mirrors, refinished sole, new furler, lotsa gelcoat work, fixed windows, bottom blast and barrier coat and a load of other stuff. She goes in the water next week. This site and all you guys have been an unbelievable resource. Thanks!
It's the bottom...
... thats rots out first. I am the one that posted the compression post replacement in the 31's photo forum. If I only looked at the top of the post I would have left it in place. Make sure the bottom of the post is sound.
... thats rots out first. I am the one that posted the compression post replacement in the 31's photo forum. If I only looked at the top of the post I would have left it in place. Make sure the bottom of the post is sound.
Bottom Rot
Thanks for the additional advise. I will be sure to remove the few remaining screws and the entire jamb to check the bottom of the post. I did not realize it was mainly a bottom post phenomena. I will report any additional findings. With respect to the material the post is made of, it does look like a light wood in my boat as well (not quite as light as balsa, however). Keep in mind though that it's the compressive strength that really matters, not the density of the wood. Many of you would be very surprised at just how much compressive strength wood has in the grain direction, even something as light as balsa wood. That lightweight post, with its teak sheath, is more than capable of handeling the load if the wood has not deteriorated.
Thanks for the additional advise. I will be sure to remove the few remaining screws and the entire jamb to check the bottom of the post. I did not realize it was mainly a bottom post phenomena. I will report any additional findings. With respect to the material the post is made of, it does look like a light wood in my boat as well (not quite as light as balsa, however). Keep in mind though that it's the compressive strength that really matters, not the density of the wood. Many of you would be very surprised at just how much compressive strength wood has in the grain direction, even something as light as balsa wood. That lightweight post, with its teak sheath, is more than capable of handeling the load if the wood has not deteriorated.
To rot, or not to rot...
I finished the job last night. I removed the entire door jamb and had a good look. No sign of water damage, neither past nor present, anywhere along the post, top to bottom. I finished running my wire, put everything back together, then used 3M 5200 to re-seal the top of the wire conduit coming out of the deck collar. Thanks to all. Paul
I finished the job last night. I removed the entire door jamb and had a good look. No sign of water damage, neither past nor present, anywhere along the post, top to bottom. I finished running my wire, put everything back together, then used 3M 5200 to re-seal the top of the wire conduit coming out of the deck collar. Thanks to all. Paul
yeah but....
Make sure poke at it a bit. Mine looked fine but the wood crumbled when I pushed hard on it.
Make sure poke at it a bit. Mine looked fine but the wood crumbled when I pushed hard on it.
- Status