Slight moisture damage on floor around compression post

[Fiftybucks]

I am looking to purchase 99 380 that has a small moisture ring on the floor around the post. It extends approximately 1 inch outward, it is not severe, just discoloration etc. What is the cause, where could it originate from and exactly what to be concerned about? PO replaced standing rigging 2017.

 

[finefurn]

First guess would be rain water running down inside of the mast. there should be a drip loop on the internal mast wiring. Many time when they reset the mast they don't get the drip loop quite right or they forget about it entirely. If it's just a discoloration and everything else is sound around it I wouldn't pay it much mind. Spend a day on the boat during some heavy rain a see what happens.

 

[Fiftybucks]

thanks. i will watch during wet weather.

 

[BigEasy]

Mast wiring likely needs to be resealed where it penetrates thru deck. I am not familiar with that model. If the wiring enters the deck from beneath the mast, you’ll have to have a crane lift the mast sufficiently to access. If the wiring entry points thru the deck are via deck “clamshell” type fittings external of the mast, it’s a simple fix to tighten or seal.

 

[Rich Stidger]

It is not something to ignore or write off. At best it is a PITA to deal with and at worse it is a way for water to creep into the core and cause damage over time. Get it fixed.

 

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[Terry Cox]

What is the cause, where could it originate from and exactly what to be concerned about

Similar problem with our boat when we purchased her in 2002. Wrote an article about the repair awhile ago. Yours might be different, but worthy of consideration. That article here:
https://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=8269&mn=42

 

[Fiftybucks]

thx to all... i have a better understanding of what to watch out for when upgrades such as radar are installed.

 

[Terry Cox]

Another article that I wrote about the mast step plate weep hole, so important to keep clear.
https://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=100094&mn=42

 

[Chew Oon]

I caulked the mast step plate with silicone as temporary fix.

 

[Terry Cox]

caulked the mast step plate with silicone as temporary fix.

Never use Silicone caulk around our boat; nasty stuff. Does your step plate have a weep hole for the rain water inside the mast to exit? Hopefully, you did not plug it with caulk.

 

[Chew Oon]

Terry,

Thanks for the heads up on the Silicone caulk. But that’s all I had at the time.
Not sure about the weep hole you mentioned. If it is there it is not visible. The only visible “drain” is the channel from the back of the plate to the front of the plate which I’d made sure that it was not plugged.
My standing rig is due for replacement and I plan to unstep the mast and re bed/seal the plate. What would you recommend to use?
Thanks.

 

[Terry Cox]

What would you recommend to use?

My yard guys advised they always use 3M-5200 below the waterline and 3M-4200 above when doing boat repairs and that is what I use. Others will chime in here, I'm sure, with their recommendations.

 

[Chew Oon]

Thanks.

 

[sail sfbay]

When I purchased my 2004 Hunter 386 it had the a similar issue. I traced it to the stainless steel cover just forward of the mast (see lower right corner of the photo). Once I plugged both sides the problem went away. I then removed the rust stains from the post in the cabin with a commercial rust remover fluid.

 

[Fiftybucks]

Thx for comments.