contest 30-(conyplex)

sailingonmymind · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2010

Hi
one of the projects that I have to complete this winter is strengthening my deck stepped mast. I am a bit confused as to why on my particular boat there is no compression mast and most of the weight of my mast is in front of the first bulkhead. Can anyone out there with the same type of boat tell me if they have a compression post in there boat? or is this the normal set up for this boat from this manufacture company?

thanks

mitiempo · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2010

I don't have a Contest but did some research. This one has a compression post seen below. This is a 1976 model. Hope this helps.

jrd22 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2010

My father has one, I think it is a 1970 or 72 model. I'm not sure if there is a compression post or not. I'll try to find out and let you know.

steve301 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2010

What is the year and model of your Contest 30. I have a 1972 Contest 30 Mark II and that model does not have (or need) a compression post. Steve

captkirb · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2010

i have an 86 contest 32 sloop. there is a 3-4 in stainless post under my mast bolted on the hull.

sailingonmymind · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010

Hi
Thanks for all the information. My contest is a 1969 30 footer, the left side of the cabin top by the forward hatch seems to flex more than the other side of the deck in the same spot. the boat yard! recommended strengthening that side of the deck by a couple of different means, all of them very expensive. I am looking for a second opinion before I fix or attempt to fix.

thanks again!

mitiempo · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010

Do the work yourself. It is not that hard to do and you'll save a lot of labor charges. You might even do a better job!

JNorseman · #8 (**permalink**) 11-12-2010

Hi,

I just repaired the mast step on my 1973 Contest 33 this past Spring. The deck under the mast step was solid fiberglass with no core from bulkead to bulkhead. The mast step had a plywood core that was wet and mushy. I cut the step off at deck level flush with the top of the cabin top and removed the plywood from the removed step. I filled in the space with a solid FRP panel and bonded it back inside the old step and bonded it back to the deck.

There was an earlier repair on the bulkead aft of the mast from before I bought the boat. The previous owner said that the repair cost him upwards of $8K. The bulkhead was rotted near the hull below the waterline. A layer of plywood was put over the damaged plywood and bonded to the bulkhead and hull. The repair is not visible above the setee. There was no way that this repair was worth $8K but the owner had moved to Fla and the yard in CT had free reign to charge whatever they wanted. Materials for the repair from what I could tell were about $100 max.

There is no flex in the setup now that I repaired the step and I see no need for a compression post if the bulkheads are in good shape. Besides, I don't know where you would put one on the 33' and I don't think the 30 is much different. There is an online Contest users group in Holland and they are very helpful. I think the new site features translation but some of the users are fluent enough in english.

Happy repairs!