I’m in the process of replacing my rotted compression post on my 1988 Hunter 33.5 and had a few question for anybody that has tackled this project. I loosened up the stays and put two jacks, one on each side of the old post, to relieve the pressure on the post before removing it. It appears that the bottom of the post just rests on the fiberglass base, but the top of the post is held in with a couple screws that I can’t access.
1. How are the top screws removed?
2. Is the fiberglass stringer next to the compression post strong enough to support the weight of the mast when supported by 2x4s on top of bottle jacks? I heard some noise from the fiberglass as the temporary supports were tightened.
3. For those of you who replaced the post with a stainless steel or aluminum one, how was it held in place? Did you have a base welded onto the top and bottom of the new post? Was it screwed into the fiberglass? 5200?
Thanks for any comments, help or suggestions with this project.
1. How are the top screws removed?
2. Is the fiberglass stringer next to the compression post strong enough to support the weight of the mast when supported by 2x4s on top of bottle jacks? I heard some noise from the fiberglass as the temporary supports were tightened.
3. For those of you who replaced the post with a stainless steel or aluminum one, how was it held in place? Did you have a base welded onto the top and bottom of the new post? Was it screwed into the fiberglass? 5200?
Thanks for any comments, help or suggestions with this project.