Removing Mast Step

[ggreen]

I have a 1984, 23 ft. O'day with a stepped mast. The mast plate leaks, and needs to be rebedded, however I cannot figure out how to remove one of the four mounting bolts wich hold the plate. One bolt appears to be directly above the slot for the left plywood bukhead. I do not see any easy way to acess this bolt without removing the entiire panel, swing down table, and supporting framework. Is there an easier way?

"Osprey"

 

[Scott On Eagles Wings]

I got lucky

On mine I was able to pry between the deck and the plate thus keeping the nut tight up against the cabin top and I was able to unthread the bolt. I know I got lucky with that. To push my luck even further I reversed the process when I rebeded and it whent right back in. Try it. I know others have had to take out the compression post and the process should be in the archives.

 

[Joe11688]

Could you take a picture of this area and upload it to this post? I think that this problem could be solved a lot easier than you think.

 

[cptskip]

measure distance between bolts.mark bulk head cut e small hole to gain access

 

[adirondackbob]

Last year when I hauled my Oday 23 out for the winter, I also wanted to remove my mast step, which was leaking. I faced the same problem you describe, and I ended up having to pull the bulkhead on the port side to access that fourth bolt. Before proceeding (as as a new sailboat owner), I posted a message to this forum seeking advice (which, as usual, was graciously provided!). I tried Scott's approach, but it didn't work because the bolt was actually slightly bent. As much as I wanted to avoid removing the entire bulkhead, I couldn't. However, it turned out not to be as difficult as I had expected, and in fact it gave me more room to work inside the cabin, which was a good thing when I started slopping around with epoxy. (I also had to rebed the chainplates and plug some leaks at the bow.) I was also able to make some repairs to the teak, which had some water damage, and take care of some other repairs as well.

All of which is to say that removing the bulkhead might not be a bad idea, depending upon other possible work you might need to do in your cabin or on your deck.

Bob

 

[Scott On Eagles Wings]

How did you remove the compression post?

Hello Bob, How did you remove the compression post? I want to refinish my port bulkhead this winter and would like to take it out. It will just slide out but I don't know how the compression post is fastend.
On side note we may be going to LG for our summer vacation, perhaps we will see you.

 

[Joe11688]

The first thing that I thought of was exactly what you just mentioned which is to measure and cut an access hole to get at the nut, but Bob's idea is also pretty good. I don't have this problem, but I too am thinking of redoing my galley cabinet and surrounding wood with a dark red Mahogany stain, and removing the bulkhead and cabinet has crossed my mind. I think that I'm going to do this so that the refinishing job will come out looking better. Outside of that, if I was faced with the problem of getting at a nut behind a bulkhead, I would have no problem of cutting an access hole to get at it. You can always cover it with something to hide it later on.
Joe

 

[adirondackbob]

Removing Compression Post

Scott,

The compression post on my boat was not held in place with bolts or anything else. There were just a few screws that attached small pieces of teak (for the sliding port berth) to the post, so I was able to remove the post with some careful whacks of a rubber mallet. I'm not sure whether the posts on these boats were held in place by more than compression, but that's what I found with mine. It wasn't difficult. I think the hardest part of the whole process of removing the bulkhead (aside from getting at a few inconvenient screws) was maneuvering the board out of the cabin once I was able to remove the post and all the screws. Getting it back in place was no fun, either!

Let me know if you make it to Lake George next year. We're hauling the boat out today (alas!)--much earlier than usual because of my busy October work schedule. But we had a good summer of sailing. Spent several nights on the hook in the Narrows but didn't camp on any of the islands this year.

Bob

 

[Scott On Eagles Wings]

Thanks Bob

That is amazing that such an important part is only supported by a few screws into the bulkhead. I must say I am glad however for that makes it practicle to get out. Were you able to get the port bulkhead out of the boat with the starboard bulkhead in place?

I will send you an E-mail when we have our dates for the Lake of George.

Back to the original posters question. If I understand correctly the aft starboard bolt on the mast step in inside the top of the compression post. All that needs doing is to remove the screws attaching the compression post to the bulkhead and than slide out the post gaining access to the hidden nut? Thanks again

 

[ggreen]

Scott, I will try your suggestion to put tension between the plate, and deck to remove the bolt. If this doe not work I will try cptskips' idea to cut a small hole in the bulkhead where the nut is located. I will drill a hole with a Fortner bit, and fill with a teak plug. If none of this works, the I will remove the bulkead which has some damage at the bottom from leaks.

Many minds can solve problems great, and smalll.

 

[adirondackbob]

Mast Step Again

Scott,

On my boat, the nut on the aft port (not starboard) corner of the mast step is hidden by the teak bulkhead. The nut on the aft starboard side is visible just forward of the compression post. So the compression post does not obscure the nut. But obviously I had to remove the compression post to remove the port bulkhead.

And, yes, I was able to remove the port bulkhead without removing the starboard bulkhead, which is much smaller but more complicated to get out.

Bob

 

[ggreen]

I tried putting tension under the mast step plate, but the blind lock nut rotated. I then removed the mast compression post (actually quite easy), and now I can see the nut enough to hold it. Thanks to all for thew suggestions.

"OSprey"

 

[Scott On Eagles Wings]

That is good news

Glad everything worked out. Following Bob's help I am going to remove my port bulkhead and refinish and reattache everything. Did the starboard side last winter.

 

[fastscot]

Adirondackbob Is Correct

I removed the mast step on my 23' two years ago so that I could add an additional plate with holes to attach blocks for running lines to the cockpit. I tried to find an easy method, but the correct method prevailed. The port bulkhead needs to be removed because the fourth bolt is directly above it- buried between the formed fiberglass lips. The bolt is difficult to remove even with the bulkhead removed. The bulkhead removal of course leads to unbolting the chain plates which encourages reseating/resealing the chain plates. Not an easy job, but can be done by the inexperienced - like me. PS jacking the interior ceiling near the step plate to free up the bulkhead was the secret to getting the bulkhead out. Good luck.

 

[Scott On Eagles Wings]

To bob and Fastcot, A big thank you, I don't think it took me any longer than a half hour to get the bulkhead out. It is in very good shape considering the condition the starboard side was in. I have a small amount of delaminateion on the bottom edges where it bolts up against the pan. The top and the chain plate areas are in great shape fortunately. Just ordered some clear penetrating epoxy sealer for the bottom edge. will clean, sand, varnish and than stick it back in. Without your advise I don't think I would have attempted it. This site is invaluable. Thanks again.

 

[fastscot]

Great

I got my information from someone on this site and it helped me solve my problem. Passing it on is a good thing.

 

[adirondackbob]

Running Lines Aft on Oday 23

Fastscot, you mentioned in one of your posts that you ran your lines to the cockpit of your Oday 23. I'm considering doing the same (despite Joe's good-natured warnings against doing so!), but I'm wondering where you placed the turning blocks to turn your lines back to the cockpit. I have a utility plate under my mast step, so I don't need to drill any holes there. But the space between the grabrail and the sliding cabin top is tight. I'm not sure where best to run the lines. How did you manage it? And if you have photos, would you post them?

Thanks.

Scott, glad your project is going well. Like you, I found some minor water damage to the teak when I removed the port bulkhead, and although it was a big job removing it, I'm glad I did.

Bob

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Re: Running Lines Aft on Oday 23

When removing compression post, a small hydralic jack on a 4 x 4 raises the cabin top the 1/4 inch needed to slide post out.

Ed K
26

 

[fastscot]

Running lines back

I'll have to take a picture. I redirected them from the base of the mast to another block and then back. Will get back to you.

 

[Scott On Eagles Wings]

All back together

Put the bulkhead all back together today. The reason I was able to get my mast plate bolt in and out is because the bolt is encased in resin. Don't know if it was that way from the start or a previous owner. But wow what were they thinking when they put that up inside there. Last winter I did the starboard side and both small V-bearth bulkheads and varnished them prior to putting them back in. I must say it bothered me all season seing the port bulkhead not varnished. Looks great and I am smiling like a cheashire cat.

Next project is the port winch rocks if you give it a good yank. Be well my friends. Can't wait for spring.