Safety holding up the mast

[Ready2Sail]

I have acquired a major fixer O'Day 23 with cast iron keel and stuck centerboard. While trying to remove broken centerboard, I have had someone suggest that due to mushy floor and some mushy places on pop top that the boat wouldn't be safe to support the mast.

What are the primary points to check for security of the mast? Assuming I can remove and replace the centerboard (and after a full day with experienced help this has not been achieved) the boat would be re rigged while I continue to work on the problems, but if there are problems that are not worth fixing or can't be fixed, I may as well stop now.

I really thought that if centerboard problem was fixed, I could enjoy day sails and continue to attack problems, but although I am willing, I am not experienced in all these details. Any advice will be most appreciated.

 

[ChattOday]

I would be concerned as well. Unless I am mistaken, the mast rigging will always chase downward compression. That downward compression is what would make me nervous .

 

[Ready2Sail]

Doesn't the mast go all the way down to hull, which is the main support with the stays? It seems that as long as these main supports are sturdy, the mast should be safe.Could someone please identify the key places I need to check to ensure that my mast is safe? It seems to me that as long as the mast rests in its holder down at the hull and the rigging is new and tight, the mast should be safe. I haven't found anything on the internet yet to tell me specifically what points need to be secure to provide adequate support. I apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge and understanding - please enlighten me.

 

[Joe11688]

Doesn't the mast go all the way down to hull, which is the main support with the stays? It seems that as long as these main supports are sturdy, the mast should be safe.Could someone please identify the key places I need to check to ensure that my mast is safe? It seems to me that as long as the mast rests in its holder down at the hull and the rigging is new and tight, the mast should be safe. I haven't found anything on the internet yet to tell me specifically what points need to be secure to provide adequate support. I apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge and understanding - please enlighten me.

If the mast step and the hull under it is solid, the rigging is OK, and chain plates are secured to the deck and solid bulkheads, I don't see any problem with it. I would put the mast up connect the rigging and tune it with a tension gauge like the Loos Gauge. Make note of the number settings. Then, stand on top of the mast and grab it with your hands and try to shake the mast. Put the gauge on the stays and see if the numbers change. On my boat, I have my lower stays set for 12 and the upper stays set for 15. My mast steps on top of the cabin.

If your number settings decrease, you have a problem. If they stay the same, you don't. It's as simple as that. Personally I don't see a problem but then, I'm sitting at my PC in MA. Pictures would help.

Joe

 

[Joe11688]

I have acquired a major fixer O'Day 23 with cast iron keel and stuck centerboard. While trying to remove broken centerboard, I have had someone suggest that due to mushy floor and some mushy places on pop top that the boat wouldn't be safe to support the mast.

What are the primary points to check for security of the mast? Assuming I can remove and replace the centerboard (and after a full day with experienced help this has not been achieved) the boat would be re rigged while I continue to work on the problems, but if there are problems that are not worth fixing or can't be fixed, I may as well stop now.

I really thought that if centerboard problem was fixed, I could enjoy day sails and continue to attack problems, but although I am willing, I am not experienced in all these details. Any advice will be most appreciated.

Actually, this boat will sail without the centerboard albeit not as good to weather.
What I would do is find out where all the rotted core is on the boat and start attacking this first. Use a good Fiberglas Epoxy like West Systems and a recommended core material. Why rack your brain over the safety of the mast and standing rigging? After you have located the bad core, cut it out and made your repairs with the core, Epoxy, and filler, that boat is going to be as strong if not stronger than the day they built it.

I know that you've already started working on the keel, but the keel could have been worked on during the winter months. Myself, I would unbolt the keel from the hull and work on trying to remove the centerboard from the slot.
Then the keel can be sandblasted and ready for a coat of "Rust Bullet" and a couple of coats of ablative paint.
It may not hurt to be a friend on Facebook with Baysailor Bill in the Providence RI area. Bill fixed up a 1973 O'Day 23 back in 2007 and did a magnificent job. He has 23 pics of it in one of his photo albums.
When Bill finished working on that O'Day 23 is looked like it just came out of the factory. He's a true craftsman.

Joe