Rebeding mast tabernacle

[Alan Wiser, '89 240 O'day]

Has anyone had the experience of taking the mast tabernacle off and rebeding? I have found a small water leak coming from one of the 4 nuts that are usedto mount the mast tabernacle. I have easy access tothe 4 bolt and nuts that mount the tabernacle to thetop of the cabin. What type of sealant should I use?I do not want to use 3m 5200. Any suggestions wouldbe greatly appreaciated.Alan

 

[Josh]

Not from experience...

But people here have steered me from 5200 to Life Caulk. Seems it stays flexible, with superior grip. I haven't purchased or used any yet, as it's snowing (FINALLY) up here in Milwaukee. Little hard to work in 30 degree weather when I'm not getting paid for it!My plan is to use the Life Caulk on high load areas, and 5200 on low.Hope that helps,Josh

 

[Patrick Neeley]

Tab bedding

Alan, I have a 1979 O'Day 23 that had the same leak you mentioned. It was worse than yours however, in that it caused roting of the core material (balsa?). I had to drill through the deck fiberglass to get to the rotten wood to inject "Git Rot" epoxy. It finally stabilized the core material sufficiently to prevent depression of the deck in that area when I put my 200 pounds pressure on a square inch block (200 pounds/square inch). At that time 5200 was not known to me, so I used good old clear silicone RTV to bed the tabernackle. It has not leaked in the last 10 or 12 years, and is still solid, so I guess it's as good as it's ever going to get. Good luck.

 

[Alan Wiser, '89 240 O'day]

Thanks for the info...

Pat and Josh, thanks for the info. Mine I think just started and it was alittle amount of water. I hope I am catching it early so no rot damage. I have heard of life caulk. For this repair I really do not want to use 5200 because I plan on raising my mast alot as I trailer the boat. It would not be fun to apply a permenant adhesive such as 5200 then have to repair the tabernacle area again. Anyone else do this repair? Alan

 

[Paul Palmer]

rebed tabernacle

AlanI rebeded my mast tabernacle last spring on my OD25. Remove the four nuts and then unscrew the four screws from the top. Remove the tabernacle and clean it and the deck thoroughly. Bed the edges and around each hole with Life Caulk. Also put a bead of Life Caulk under the head of the screws and fasten them down. About a 15 minute job if you mast is already down.Paul Palmer

 

[Alan Wiser, '89 240 O'day]

Paul what did.....

you clean the steel tabernacle and fiberglass with? Thanks for the information. Alan

 

[Paul Palmer]

Alan

AlanI cleaned off most of the old caulk with a razor blade and then cleaned the fiber glass with soft scrub. I don't remember exactly what I used on the bottom of the tabernacle but the soft scrub should work after cleaning most of the old caulk with a razor blade or scraper. A rubbing compound or buffing wheel would also work. A lot depends on what kind of caulk was used the last time. Mine was probably life caulk and came off easily. If silicone was used it may be harder to remove. Good luck with your project.Paul