Mast Step sinking - O'Day 26 (1985)

[Golden Road]

I am looking at an O'Day 26, 1985, and one of the problems is subsidence of cabin top under the mast step with hairline cracking that is showing below too. Does anyone here have experience with this? Is it solid or cored under the step? Tapping on the area seems to indicate good density, and there is no softness in the area. The support post below looks fine. Thank you.

 

[RichBone]

Many of us Oday owners have had this problem. It's from water intrusion into the core under the mast step. Most of the core in the deck and cabintop is balsa except under the mast where it is 1/2" plywood. There are many past posts on repairs by removing the old wet core and replacing with new ply or solid fiberglass. Odds are that other areas of the deck also suffer from water intrusion. It's hard to find an Oday without some problems. If the price is right and you're handy (or willing to learn and if you have an old boat you'll probably be learning sooner or later) don't let that be a deterrent.

 

[svchickadee]

I rebuilt the mast step on my Oday 25 last year and assume the 26 has similar construction. The deck is 1/2 inch thick. There is 1/8 inch of outer skin and 3/8 inch of plywood (directly under the mast step) and 3/8 inch end grain balsa core (elsewhere). The deck coring ends at the forward hatch, sliding (main) hatch and at the sheer on the side decks. The cabin top viewed from the inside of the boat is separate from the deck. There is a paper thin void between the two (deck and cabin top) and they are not physically bonded together. My deck felt solid but was totally wet when I cut it up. After the rebuild it is much more solid and the difference is significant. Once water gets under the mast step it has no where and soaks the deck. The plywood under the mast step will delaminate. I had no idea my deck was in such bad shape until I cut it up for repair. The deck is much stronger now.

 

[Golden Road]

Thanks SVchickadee. All the deck feels solid, I wonder if they isolated the mast step area off.

 

[OdayDave]

I also rebuilt my mast step a few years ago. The tell-tale sign I got was when I pulled the screws out to mount a deck organizer and found wet wood. I drilled small pilot holes until I got to dry wood and then carefully removed the outer skin to reveal the wet wood. I dug it all out and then built up the cavity with multiple layers of fiberglass. I then put the skin back on with just resin. It turned out pretty good.

http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/album.php?albumid=2158&pictureid=13851

Not a difficult project. If I recall, it took me a couple of weekends but mainly because I took it slow. It did give me plenty of confidence to tackle other jobs.

Dave
s/v Lagniappe
O'Day 25

 

[jfschena]

I just pulled my mast step to patch some cracks in a previous repair--84 oday 26. My wife found some wet wood in one of the screw holes. I knew this was a possibility. Otherwise, the deck is solid with no sagging. I laid in some glass and re faired it. I'll consider this a temporary repair to get me through the season. I'll recore it this fall. Am I nuts?

 

[Brian S]

Are you nuts? Well, if the mast step isn't sagging, you're probably fine. Keep an eye on it.

When I noticed the forestay on my little Harpoon got loose at the end of the weekend, after I KNEW I had tightened it when I stepped the mast, and then I saw a 1mm gap between the lag bolt heads and the mast step bracket, I knew I didn't have a choice:

I'm dreading if I have to do it on my 192, but if I ever do, at least I know I CAN do it...

 

[OdayDave]

When I rebuilt the mast-step base, I had just bought the boat the previous fall, and it had probably been that way for a few years given how far it had seeped into the core. As long as the stays are tight and the sag is minor, it can probably wait. I would keep an eye on it but I would guess it's ok for the short term.

Post some pictures if you want more feedback.

Dave
s/v Lagniappe
O'Day 25

 

[jfschena]

When I rebuilt the mast-step base, I had just bought the boat the previous fall, and it had probably been that way for a few years given how far it had seeped into the core. As long as the stays are tight and the sag is minor, it can probably wait. I would keep an eye on it but I would guess it's ok for the short term. Post some pictures if you want more feedback. Dave s/v Lagniappe O'Day 25

I will when I get a chance. Thanks

 

[jfschena]

Ok, it's all patched, sanded and painted(picture before painting). I'm ready to install the hardware I know where the holes go from the bottom. One comes through at the bulkhead. Do I just drill straight and pray--usually the way I do things btw.

 

[RichBone]

Ok, it's all patched, sanded and painted(picture before painting). I'm ready to install the hardware I know where the holes go from the bottom. One comes through at the bulkhead. Do I just drill straight and pray--usually the way I do things btw. View attachment 88343

That's pretty much what I did. Maybe try a smaller drill bit so You've got a little room to play with. First one and then check for position. Make sure the tabernacle is facing the right direction. The way it sits looks like the stern would be to the right, I think.