Mast deck compression

[DougBaker]

Hey Everyone,
This is my first ever post. I purchased a 1979 C 30 last April. I had a great summer as a live aboard and great sailing. It's now time to do some work on it. It appears the deck had sunk a bit under the mast plate. No signs of anything wrong down below. The mast compression block appears to be solid as well. I assume the problem is that the wood is rotten under the mast base plate. In heavy rainstorms I did find water that made it's way onto the floor just outside the head. Has anybody out there had the same problem that could help. Also I will be sanding down the teak on the deck. Any recommendations for finishes?
Thanks
Doug

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I believe the mast step rot is a common problem with Catalina's (some, not all) and the only fix is to remov and replace it with something other than wood. I would suggest you do that before cosmetic work.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I believe the mast step rot is a common problem with Catalina's (some, not all)...

That would be the Catalina 30s.

While some earlier C34s (1986 to mid-1988) were made with wood, there have been no reports of any issues.

I haven't heard of any issues with ANY other Catalinas.

Doug, it may well be that your issue is NOT the deck, but the bottom of the comporession post by the keel. That's where the issue has been reeported to be and there have been many, many posts, both here and on the C30 Association website about the repairs that are requried.

Good luck.

 

[Nahart51]

I have #65 from year one of production. No problem here. Never have.

 

[DougBaker]

I have been lookiing at all the post about the compression post block rotting, but everyone of the boats that had the issue had signs of warping or dimpling of either the ceilling or the floor. Block and everything else appears to be fine. I have no illusions, about it being the block, but it makes sense that the wood pad beneath the step may be rotting. Currently thinking of removing a small section and take a peak under the step.

 

[dive7mmwet]

Its common, this link gives you a clue, on a 27 but others too
http://youtu.be/uy-3CtKzuUc
but check the down to the cabin sole too as the post to the sole has a block under it that gets rotten and causes the sinking of the compression post, not too bad to dig out and replace with a new one ,some jacking up best to do with mast un stepped, tell tale signs crack or dip in cabin floor around post base, cracking / grazing around mast step leading to the Port side on my investigations.

Next don't do what some weekend engineers with a cracker jack P in their signature line do by over engineering by adding epoxies or fiberglass resins (only) under mast step as wood has some give and support to spread the load over the area.
Last seal , seal , seal all holes thru cabin roof and keep mast base weeps clean at all times!
Good luck