O'Day Widgeon - Missing Mast Step

[drewmacd]

I recently acquired a 12' O'Day Widgeon, circa 1970's, from a family friend. Interestingly, they originally acquired this boat from my parents 10-15 years ago who purchased it used and sailed in New Orleans in their younger days. It's been through a lot.

A little background about me... I took several sailing lessons last summer and loved every minute. However, I have no boat repair experience except for some minor fiberglass work from college. I am looking to learn how to properly repair this boat.

Last summer I looked the boat over, assembling everything as if I was going into the water. When I attempted to step the mast, I found the metal mast step was actually missing. It looks as though the two bolts holding the mast step part failed. I do see a small block of wood next to the step; could this be a part of the assembly? See attached photo.

My plan is to cut a a new utility hole (8" or 12") and add a cover to it in order to access the area around the step. This model boat does not have access panels factory installed. Do I need any other parts besides the $15 mast step replacement part? Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[Sunbird22358]

I assume your boat is a 1971 or later model with the forward deck and molded-in cockpit seats?
I'd take this opportunity to cut out the factory-style access ports to allow using the under deck area for stowage and to access the mast step location.

I don't know exactly how O'DAY fastened the mast step to that box-beam that it was mounted to, I never had reason to remove the mast step on my old Widgeon. I do know that on my Day Sailer II the mast step was held in place by 2 sheet-metal screws into a plywood block under the cuddy deck. I'd try drilling out those screws or trying to punch them through the top of that box-beam. They might move.... or maybe not. You could cut off the top of the beam around the location of the step and insert an epoxy saturated block of hard wood, then drill for 2 new screws. You definitely want to keep the step located as close as possible to the original spot to keep the mast positioned correctly.

I don't think that small block of wood is related to the mast step, it may have fallen off somewhere else below deck or just be a scrap left behind at the factory.

Rudy Nickerson at D&R Marine should have some idea as to how the mast step was originally mounted and he sells the replacement (DWYER Mast or Zephyr Spars also sell those) I'd suggest giving Rudy a call sometime to "pick his brain" (508) 644-3001
Mast Step is listed on the D&R web-site www.drmarine.com