Javelin Mast Step Issue

[no-way]

While launching our boat in the St. Lawrence River for the season this year, I noticed a number of small pieces of delaminated plywood underneath the cuddy cabin flooring, where the mast step is located. I carefully removed them (so that I could piece them together to observe the original shape), and I found the aluminum mast step loose from the hull and attached to one of the laminate layers that I had removed. I am puzzled by this since I would have thought that the mast stub would be mounted more securely to the hull than by using a piece of wood which eventually rots. I am thinking that the wood may have been just a spacer between the bottom of the mast stub and the hull, since I do see screw holes that held the stub hub to the hull. How it got loose is beyond me. Can anyone provide me some insight into my problem, I would appreciate it. Specifically, how was the mast stub fixed to the hull and what if any role does wood play in this? Another issue is that the cuddy cabin floor needs to be replaced. Any tips on this would be welcome too.

Thanks.

 

[Sunbird22358]

I'd suggest giving Rudy Nickerson at D&R Marine a call (508) 644-3001, he knows the O'DAYs very well since he was Materials/Parts Mnager for O'DAY from 1973-89. He also built a few JAVELINS after O'DAY shut down as far as I know.....or at least he has the molds. I think biggest problem yo uface i nreplacing the decking up forward under the foredeck, is access. How to get a big enough panel in through the small access hatch. Rudy may know a "secret".

 

[no-way]

Thanks for the feedback. I repaired the mast step issue by replacing the rotten marine plywood spacer between the mast step and stem with a piece of 3/8 inch plastic cut from a plastic cutting board (hint: a great source of plastic stock). This will prevent a future rot problem from rain running down the mast into the mast step area. You are right that the decking replacement will be a challenge, but I will build it in pieces and assemble it through the hatch way...or live without it.

 

[Sunbird22358]

Yes, plastic cutting boards are a great (and inexpensive!) source of plastic material. I can't understand why O'DAY used a plywood deck inside the JAVELIN forward stowage compartment, the DS II and WIDGEON have fiberglass decking inside, but I once saw a JAVELIN at D&R and sure enough..... old plywood!

 

[bruce cornell]

after your repair, you might want to cut the mast just above the deck, make the stub fast and add a 1 or 2 pin tabernacle to the stub and mast....makes life much easier.

 

[no-way]

Yup. Thanks for the suggestion!