What Supports the Mast under the Cabin Top?

[jfrancis100]

Hi,

I have a 1969 Tempest in great shape, except this problem.

There is a crack on the port side of the Cabin top and it appears to be rust leaking out of it, could be core material, but it stains the gel coat. the location is in-line of where the mast sits on the Cabin top. In the Cabin, there is a rib running from side to side and it looks to me to be a structural support for the Mast. My question is, is there a metal brace in-cased in Fiberglass? From a repair standpoint, is it soild metal to the top of the Cabin skin, hence no core material? If it is, I was thinking that if I get it dry, and seal up the leaks, repair the crack, I'm done. Has anyone see this before?

Any suggestions how to repair this right will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Joe11688]

Hi,

I have a 1969 Tempest in great shape, except this problem.

There is a crack on the port side of the Cabin top and it appears to be rust leaking out of it, could be core material, but it stains the gel coat. the location is in-line of where the mast sits on the Cabin top. In the Cabin, there is a rib running from side to side and it looks to me to be a structural support for the Mast. My question is, is there a metal brace in-cased in Fiberglass? From a repair standpoint, is it soild metal to the top of the Cabin skin, hence no core material? If it is, I was thinking that if I get it dry, and seal up the leaks, repair the crack, I'm done. Has anyone see this before?

Any suggestions how to repair this right will be greatly appreciated.

I'm not familiar with the O'Day Tempest, but it appears to me that there should be some king of a tension bar or post support under your mast. My 1986 O'Day 222 has a tension bar down in the cabin but some of the earlier O'Day 222s didn't come with them, and soon developed issues with the cabin. The only guy who would know for sure is Rudy Nickerson in Assonet Ma. Give him a call on Monday. I'm sure that he'll have an answer for you.
http://www.drmarine.com/

 

[jfrancis100]

Thanks!

 

[Jfelkins]

I had what looked like a 2 X 4 that ran from top to bottom of the cabin right under the mast. This was soggy/mushy and the home of a nice stand of mushrooms growing in my boat when I got her. I took it out. I guess I need to replace it????

 

[Joe11688]

I'm not all that familiar with the interior of the O'Day 23 John, but usually a deck stepped mast is supported by something down below. Maybe someone who owns a 23 can chime in on this for you.

 

[Indysailor]

If it's the piece that is indicated in this picture, then it needs to be replaced. That's the compression post, and it supports the mast. I don't think it would be particularly hard to replace it, especially if it's already gone. Mine is made of hardwood- looks like ash.