Mast compression concerns with pics

[SenecaDaze]

Im looking at a 1979 hunter 25,i like everything about the boat but the compression at maststep. Is a little compression ok,can i enjoy a few years of sailing without concern before i tackle the project of repair.

In the one picture you can see how the mast step compresses more toward bow which i believe is a result of back half of mast step resting on a post that is part of the bulkhead.the door still rolls freely but you can see the forward compression in front of the post. also noted some seperation of the bulkhead from roof on starboard side but portside has no issues..

anyone have same issues and still sail? should i stay away from this boat?

 

[justsomeguy]

Jam a "post addendum" in there, 'til you get around to fixing it proper?

 

[suds]

When I was looking for a boat, I came across a similar situation and the boat surveyor recommended that I walk away; there are plenty of fish in the sea

The owner recently had the standing rigging replaced and it was unable to with stand the proper tension.

 

[SenecaDaze]

thanks for the input guys am leaning toward the walk away advice,but price and overall condition of boat has me on the fence

 

[David in Sandusky]

Repair cost

We had a total rebuild of the mast step on our '77 h27 done for around $1,100 at a good fiberglass shop. With an aluminum plate instead of balsa core, the fix is certainly better than the original. If the rest of the boat is sound, consider getting a local quote, and asking the seller to take the repair off the price.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

I say go for it.

Is a little compression ok,can i enjoy a few years of sailing without concern before i tackle the project of repair?

No. Indentation of the deck shows the support system underneath the step has failed. Sailing this boat as-is will only cause more damage. Ultimately the deck may crack in a hundred places.

You are in luck, however, because this problem is not hard to repair. It is most likely due to water danage to the balsa core under the deck. Most of us encounter this on this vintage of boat. Anyone using even minor tools and a bit of know-how can do it. I recently posted this procedure on my boat blog. It might be worth your time to read it.

If the compression post has failed, it needs to be replaced. But if it is sound and only the deck is dented in, it's almost surely deck-core rot which is what can be easily fixed. The compression post is not hard to make at all. I made mine out of beautiful white spruce, laminated in epoxy, varnished with Captain's, and it's fine. I shimmed the top using bits of Formica (which does not crush, so it's perfect for compression-post shims). There's nothing wrong with that.

One (light-hearted) caveat, however. It has been said that when dealing with a private seller, you should always bid low on the bicycle with flat tires or the guitar with missing strings. These are the easiest problems to solve though many sellers think they are a major hassle (and maybe the reason they are selling). If you truly like everything else about this boat, I say bid low, get it and fix the deck. You'll have gotten a terrific model of boat at a bargain and you'll get to learn how these things can be remedied and thus feel like a pro.

Here is the link to my blog--
http://dianaofburlington.blogspot.com/2012/05/jcs-secret-system-for-filling-deck-core.html

Try it out. If you have questions, e-mail me

es

 

[crosswind]

Hello gents..

I am in the process currently of purchasing a 79 H30 and this compression issue is evident. On a test sail with the PO we pressed her against some 20 knot winds and 6-8' rollers just to see how she handled.

Once the sails filled she pointed well close hulled and held an easy 8-10 knot speed. I was all but sold.

The deck revealed the compression issue with the entire mast sunk about an inch evenly the deck accommodated drop without cracking and under close inspection I found a rotted wood shim at the base of the compression beam where the support I beam Carries the weight. This rotted piece of "teak"? Is about 2 inches thick and is the obvious culprit.

I am going to buy and have the mast removed while I jack up the deck and replace that piece of wood.

I am hoping the deck will rebound to its original shape allowing the mast to be re-stepped in spring.

If anyone has any experience here I would be very interested to hear.

CW