Leaky Mast

[Aaron Gregg]

Just discovered some dryrot around the bulkhead adjacent to the compression post. Plan on unstepping the mast, and epoxing the affected area. My question is has anybody experienced this problem, any ideas on why it occured, and any solutions other than pulling the mast and restepping? Also the most interesting part that I found, is that there are some very small bugs hanging around the affected area. Have never seen these critters before before and am fairly certain that they are not termites. any anwsers or comments would be appreciated.

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina]

Post beetles

I have a friend who has this problem & I did some research on the internet for him (he stubbornly refuses to jump out of the ice age). Almost guaranteed that you have powder post beetles. They're usually found in houses but can also be found on boats. His are in the bulkhead adjacent to the mast as well but I don't really know how connected those two facts are.These little bugs are very similar to termites and basically cause the same damage. You can call an exterminator for suggestions but I know they can't fumigate cuz the gas won't permeate enough of the wood. Injections of pesticide were out cuz it couldn't follow the "path" of the bug. I believe the conclusion we came to to get rid of them would be to pretty much replace the bulkhead - not a happy option. My friend decided to leave well enough alone for now. It would take several years for the bugs to cause enough damage to reduce the strength of the bulkhead.Needless to say, I doubt your dryrot is from a leaky mast. Call a couple of exterminators & research it on the web for the best advice. If I recall correctly, they don't like hot & dry conditions. And BTW, epoxying the wood won't solve the problem. You may be strenthening that small area but who knows how far those buggers have infested that bulkhead. ICK!!!! Good luck. LaDonna

 

[Jay Beery]

Give bugs the cold shoulder

Any way you can pack the bulkhead in slabs or bags of dry ice? I don't know of anything that can stand that amount of cold for the hours it takes the dry ice to "melt".Good Luck!