Mast Step "Bird Bath"?

[Clark]

I've had my H22 for about 6 months and have a slight/shallow "bird bath" right around the mast step. I knew this before I bought it. My question is, is this a real issue as long as I make sure that area is sealed? I can't detect any softening of the decking or cracking of the gelcoat. Hunter put the mast a few inches in front of the compression post (sigh) so it is no wonder that that area would be depressed over the years.

 

[Clark]

Bumping Up

Just wanted to bump this up. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Steve Ullrich]

Thoughts...

All right, if all you want are thoughts... I think the core is mush and the cabin roof will have to be recored and reglassed. It might be spendy but I think it might be necessary, else every turn on your rigging to tension it properly will drive the mast deeper into the bird bath until the day comes when she fails and rips the hell out of the cabin roof. At that point she will be REALLY spendy and we can only hope nobody will get hurt.

 

[mike]

H22 mast area depression

I have a 1982 H22 and also have an area of slight depression right in front of the mast, it's not deep - will not hold any water. I also have crazing around the mast step. These conditions existed when I bought the boat about 3 years ago and have not deteriorated. I can not detect any soft area but have not tested with a moisture reader. The compression post does not appear to have any rotting. I keep the rig tuned around 20 on the uppers and 18 on the lowers - I do not have to adjust at all during the sailing season which leads me to believe that there's no serious deterioration.