Removal of the mast step plate

[Saillife]

I'm getting ready this winter to have the deck recored and to rebed all the hardware, ports, hatches etc. on an '83 Hunter 34. One thing I'm wondering about is the mast step plate. Looking for anyone who has messed with one.

I have what I believe is the 'large' version which is bolted into the deck. I have no idea what is underneath it. Are their captured nuts? Will I have to cut open the headliner? Thoughts other than sell the boat? I don't want to mess with it but I suspect it is the source of one of my leaks.:bang::bang::bang::bang:

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Ed Schenck]

There are so many H34 owners on SBO, not sure why you have not had a response. And where is Fred Ficarra and his H34 website? His last post was 10/2008. While you are waiting you might garner something from this mods entry: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...mid=267&cat_id=31&aid=7802&page=article&mn=34 .

 

[kloudie1]

Brian, there was an excellent post by a member who'd gone in from the top to re-do the mast compression beam and post. He had lots of pictures of the progression as he got thru the deck and finally down into the beam. There was a 1/4" aluminum plate glassed in as part of the deck. The plate has threaded holes where the mast step is attached. If ya search on "compression post" or "Mast support" under big boats, I think you can find the post. It is not in the owner modifications, but there are some other pictures there that are interesting .. The "big" steps have not had as much problem as the small ones, like mine, but the problem is that if there is a leak that gets into the cross beam wood, it will rot and the step starts compressing the beam which causes more leaks which rots more which... etc.. If your beam is rotted, the post probably has problems too.. Good Luck..