Pics of 80 - 81 27' Mast Step

[GorillaToast]

well, not the step exactly, but the fiberglass mesa it rests on.

If you have any pics of it, I'd like to see them. Want to be sure it's supposed to slope from each end toward the step like mine does, or if I've got REAL problems.

Thanks.

 

[kito]

I have a H30 and it is flat. So yours has a depression where the mast is? I sounds like the plywood coring is rotted. You can do some tests by drilling a hole about 3/4" deep and see if the wood chips are wet or just dry rotted. You can always patch the hole with epoxy afterwards. What I have read here, it's really not a bad job to fix as long as it's just in the raised area. Also, check the I-beam compression post support. If it is rusted out it will also draw the mast down. I would check that first. Mine was rusted in half.

 

[David in Sandusky]

Here is a picture of the mast step on our '77 h27. You can see that the deck slopes up to the T shaped mast step.

That's the Niagra in the "background."

 

[GorillaToast]

If you were to put a straight edge from the port side to the starboard side of that riser would you have a half an inch or more space at the mast?

 

[kito]

If you were to put a straight edge from the port side to the starboard side of that riser would you have a half an inch or more space at the mast?

A depression at the mast is not normal. Not sure why it would be. If someone else posts a picture showing theirs has a depression, it only means he has problems too.

 

[GorillaToast]

Here's a pic of it.

 

[GorillaToast]

Update...

After looking at dozens of pics of 30's and 27's, I realized something.
It's an optical illusion because the deck arches up in front of the step. I stuck a straight edge across that plateau and there was less than a 1/4" gap at the center.

Not something I'm gonna tear up the deck, sole, or compression post for this year!

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

That's rotten core. Needs to be remedied. It's a speciality of mine.

 

[GorillaToast]

That's rotten core. Needs to be remedied. It's a speciality of mine.

John, have you got a tutorial on it?

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

John, have you got a tutorial on it?

No, Gorilla; but that is something I've been working on. Got too many other 'issues' standing in the way. Once I am on the boat and free of the rest of it, that's something I'll definitely do.

 

[Plymouth Sailor]

The best way to remedy this is to cut it out and put pressure treated wood there however I had to perform emergency surgery once when mine started to sag at sea and drilled several holes around the mast step and filled it with fiberglass. Worked well and have had little problems since.

 

[Roland5048]

There's been a ton of info on this site lately concerning this exact situation. Common on most, if not all, 27 and 30 Cherubini's. This is not a complex fix although it is labor intensive. Most likely you have a rotted core under the mast due to water intrusion via the deck elec. plug. That water has probably found it's way to your compression post and started to rot it. The I-beam under the post is also suspect. The only real way to remedy this is by doing a total refit from the mast step down. You will have to remove your mast. Don't do this piecemeal as it will cost you much, much more in the long run. You may get by cheaply for now but the devil will have his due. Hate to be a Debbie Downer but have been down this road before as many others have. Keep us posted with pics.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

Never use common construction-grade (for which it gets a grade of 'D') pressure-treated yellow pine lumber for anything on a quality yacht. Period.

I've provided 6-10 very good reasons for this professional-grade (for which I have 40+ years' experience) in these boards many times. The interested may search the archives.