Mast support

[Venio]

I have started with the repairs on my new old Mac 222. When inspecting the boat from inside I found that there is some rotten piece of plywood just between the deck and the mast support. While the support beam is in good condition, the piece of plywood is almost all gone. My question is, what should be the plywood spacer thickness? Also there is some delamination on the bottom side of the deck just next to the mast support beam. I was thinking about drilling some small holes and filling it up with epoxy then pressing it up with jack and some sort of wooden block. Any suggestions?

I'm adding some pictures for more clarity









Thanks

[Pete]

It looks like your saying that there was a piece of plywood between the compression post and the cabin top. I am not sure my boat has this. I will check tonight.

Pete

[Captain Steve]

I see them OK, with Safari

[Venio]

Sorry for the use of lamers terms. So yes there's a gap about 3/4 of an inch between the compression post and the deck.

Also there is a different problem that I have with my spreaders. They are grossly deformed at the join side. Would it be OK if I shorten them about an inch and 1/4 each, or should I replace them?

[Pete]

I checked my compression post last night, and could not see any plywood between the post and the cabin top. However the headliner was obstructing my view. So i guess my answer dosn't really help you much.

My spreaders look just like yours. I have not come up with a solution as of yet. I will probably make new ones. I am finishing up my repairs to the hull and then plan to move to the deck and mast next week. I will let you know what I come up with.

[Hamin' X]

I see that you have moved your images to PhotoBucket and they now render properly. Image links and Mod Note removed from first post.

~Rich

[baldbaby2000]

I wonder if you could cut away the interior layer and fiberglass a sheet of aluminum in place of the rotted wood. I had a balsa core boat I did this to except I cut away from the top because it was easier.

[Bawgy]

Chances are whwn you step the mast it will close the gap with no problem. If you block it up you may have to lengthen your shrouds to reach the chainplates

[johnnyonspot]

The gap between the deck and the compression post makes no sense to me, but its there, so... I would definitely fill it, with plywood or something. Don't think letting it be closed through flexion of the deck is a good idea IMHO. As far as the spreaders go, I'd just dress them up with a hacksaw or some sort of cutter and throw them back on if possible. If they are too far gone then either make new ones or get new ones from BWY.

[Pete]

I think I have solved your mystery of the gap between the compression post and the deck.

My boat had a head liner that I am sure was original. The head liner was made from a sheet of plywood with carpet on it, screwed to the underside of the deck. The compression post was installed after the head liner. When I removed the head liner from the boat it left a gap just as you show in your picture. My plan is to make a new head liner to replace the old one, thus filling the gap. But you could simply add a block of wood to fill the gap. The deck did not flex any when I removed the compression post. So I would make my spacer block what ever thickness needed to fill the gap with no load on the deck.

Pete

[dvideohd]

it's a good opportunity to soak the right piece of plywood in Epoxy - then mount.. :>

--jerry

[Pete]

My head liner was in fairly good condition for its age. The problem was I could not keep the inside clean and I blamed it on the carpet on the headliner distributing dirt throughout the boat every time I bumped it. When I took the liner down I found quite a few mud wasp homes on the back side. I have decided to go ahead and bit the bullet and take everything out of the boat and paint the inside of the hull (minus the finished hull liner) The upper inside hull is unfinished and gets paint specs and fiberglass every ware. I think I will try wainscoting for a new head liner.