Oil canning at mast step

[Sam]

on the deck and on the cabin sole under the wood bulk head directly under the mast. I have had the boat out in stiff winds abd it dosn't seem to be a problem, should i be worried? It is a 1973 model.

 

[Warren]

"Oil Canning" Mast Step

I think you do have a problem. You need to discover where the movement is. Has the support in the cabin below the mast step deteriorated? If so, replace it. If it is solf below that, you may have to open out the deck (floor) and rebuild a solid footing. If the cabin top itself is solf, you can drill access holes and inject resin to make it solid.You may want to also check with your local boat yard.Good Luck!!Warren

 

[Sam]

repair?

the wood between the cabin floor and the hull is rotted, at least under the seats in the main cabin, so i suspect it would be there also. If i inject epoxy will the "oil canning" depression return to the original shape? or do i need to build these areas up? or cut them out and completely redo the cabin sole and deck? No real boat yard here, use to have one but that was years ago.

 

[RichJ]

repair...

Sam,I belive that under the top skin (deck) of your mast step you'll find a wood core, if this was up to me, I would remove the top skin, replace the core (if it's balsa, I'd use okoume to relpace it) and fiberglass a new top skin (using a glass mat,resin and hardner) After all were talking about your mast step here. As far as building up the stiffness of your cabin sole, you could add another stringer and glass it to the hull and sole. Sounds like a big job but it really is'nt.Suggest reading "Sailboat Hull & Deck repair by Don Casey" and whatever else you can get your hands on. Also, do you know anyone that does autobody work? the fiberglass methods are just about the same, maybe you can get some pointers.Hope this helped.let us know how you make out.RichJ