The problem may be that the supports under the cabin sole have rotten away. Normally, there should be a floor* or stringer directly below the compression post or bulkhead that transfers the loading of the compression post/bulkhead down to the keelson/hull. In many cases these were made of glassed over wood or wood, and if the wood has rotted away, the glass may not have been sufficient to withstand the loads and has collapsed. The cabin sole, much like the interior liner on more modern boats, isn't in direct contact with the hull and there is a gap between the two. You're probably going to have to remove the cabin sole and look at the stringers and floors under it to see what shape they're in.
*BTW, floors on a boat are hull stiffeners that run athwartships, while stringers are generally hull stiffeners that run longitudinally to the hull.
*BTW, floors on a boat are hull stiffeners that run athwartships, while stringers are generally hull stiffeners that run longitudinally to the hull.
It sounds like i will have to put a post in there. The sole is sunken in underneath the post in that area, creating a small bowl that pools with water. How is it possible that the bulkhead and small post could indent the sole of the cabin. Does that mean the sole does not sit directly on the cabin floor?
How do i go about making the post go thru the cabin sole to the keelson?. I am not able to visualize the architecture under the sole. I have never seen a picture or graphic of that area. My only thought is to cut and remove a section of the sole to accomadate where a post might go. One of the experienced sailors in our club suggest simply putting a post there and mounting it to the sole. I wonder if the sole lies directly on the keelson?
Does anyone have a series of photos. or is there a book with this repair explained?
I am becoming somewhat alarmed.