On the hard or on the water - Comp.Post

[Dubo]

I'd like to take the weight off the compression post so I can snake a wire up the mast. After I loosen the standing rigging, I am hoping to jack up the beam and tilt/slide the post so I have access straight up the mast. My question is, is there a preferred method to take the weight off the post? Is doing this on the water the better way or is there no difference? It seems like on the water would provide better structural support and perhaps more flex to allow raising the beam. On the hard provides less symetrical support, or maybe it doesn't matter.

Whatever gives less resistence is what I am looking for.

Any hints/experiences appreciated.

Thanks!

Dubo

 

[kloudie1]

Compression post work

You can unload the post and remove it easily when in the water by jacking .. Attached picture shows how I did..use blocks to spread the load.. This is in a 34 but the 31 is very similar. loosen all rigging more than you think you need to. mark the turnbuckles so you can put them back where they were. The only problems you'll have is that you won't be able to put a drip loop in the wire before it enters the little PVC through pipe.. and, it will be extremely difficult (maybe impossible) to snake a wire up without removing the mast.. so ya probably don't want to waste a lot of time playing with it.. When you remove the post, all you see is the thru-pipe..

 

[Dubo]

Re: Compression post work

Those are great pics you've attached. I was considering this route if I don't replace the standing rigging this year. I hoping to remove two old wires and snake a new pair up the mast. Something tells me, based on what you said, it is not a straight shot through the PVC.

Thanks again,
Dubo

 

[kloudie1]

Hey, Dubo.. It is a straight shot up that thru-deck tube but the tube stops about an inch above the cabin top; the wires exit there then go into about a 4" diameter loop so that rain water drips off before going into the deck core and post. Then the wires go into a conduit inside the mast to keep 'em out of the halyards.. You might be able to get a little visual reference by pulling the axle off the bottom halyard turning sheaves, but my memory is that you can see but the space is so small that you can't do much .. Some folks cut a 4" tall by 2" wide hole in the side of the mast to get access.. then fab a cover to close the hole.. If you search the forum for wire access or mast hole, or something like that, I think you'll find some pictures.. Good Luck..

 

[kloudie1]

Did a quick search.. there is a post by Fred Ficarra that has a picture of the cover plate over a hole.. again, this is a 34, but the 31's are very similar.
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=567066&highlight=mast wire access

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Hi Claude, I did that window as well. Here are the pictures for you Dubo. Having done the compression post repair on my 34 while the mast was down, I can only tell you that it made the job of pulling the wires so much easier as I could work both from the top and from inside. Good luck.