mast step location

[Clay Wright]

Hi all,The deck under the mast step of my '76 Oday 22 is crushed from the load and needs serious rebuilding. I was always amazed that Oday placed the mast step about five inches ahead of the compression post/cabin bulkhead so it doesn't receive adequate support. However, I just looked at a friend's old 22 and discovered that the mast is directly over the compression post, as one would think it should be. Questions:1. Was my boat built on a Friday at quitting time, and this mast location is incorrect because someone didn't measure correctly?2. Should I move the mast step back so it's centered over the compression post? (The boat presently has little to no weather helm).Your opinions would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Stu]

Mast Step

Hi Clay:My 1979 22 has the mast step over or very near the compression post at the main cabin bulkhead. I think it's just slightly aft of the post.Your '76 Oday 22 like mine are masthead rigged, so should have the same setup (unless you have a boat with a replacement mast and different geometry). It sounds awfully odd that the mast would be located that far foorward of the post unless the previous owner of your boat tried to mess around with the geometry of the sailing rig.Look for filled holes that may indicate that the mast step was relocated from it's intended (factory) spot. O'Day put the core reinforcing at that location. The old holes may give some clue. Also, is the bulkhead relocated down below giving a false post location? That would be easy to tell, for the bulkhead fit into small wedges in the fiberglass overhead of the cabin.The crushed spot can be repaired but it'll be a bit messy and lengthy.Please let us know what you found out, I am certainly curious here!Good Hunting!Stu"Karakahl"1979 O'day 22 CBCenterport, LI

 

[Clay Wright]

thanks Stu

I am really looking forward to tearing into this to see if the step has been relocated. There are no extra holes in the cabin overhead, nor are there any plugged holes in the deck over the compression post. The bulkhead is unmodified, still wedged within the fiberglass channels. Great suggestions, and most gratified to learn that your mast step is also in what we would presume to be the correct location. I'm moving it aft!

 

[TDC]

Talk about timing

You might want to have a look at the july/august edition of Good Old Boat magazine.There is an article that deals with this exact situation on an 84' Oday 22. The article describes how to make a brace. Hope this is not to late.TDC