Replacing flooring (plywood) underneath aluminum mast plate screwed to it.

[JagsBch]

Any suggestions on how to remove the plywood from underneath the mast base plate?

I bought the boat this weekend for $100.00

1971 27' Morgan

Sailed it down from Trout River to Beaches Marina in Jax Beach. Had a blast. She points so well that you don't even realize how close you are to coming about. My amatuer statis was all to evident in the 15 Knot winds.

I got to get her back out there, but this time in style... I have been spending all week cleaning her up.

I have cleaned the layers and layers of scum due to neglect from the past 2 years. She cleaned up nicely, but the plywood floor has to go, it smells like the rubber mat's behind a bar. She is really sitting high out of the water, it seems the top of the waterline is about 6 inches above the water.

Scummy is the only word to describe it, The plywood is rotted at the bottom. I got most of the floor out but I still need to tackle the flooring underneath the mast. UUHHHGGG.

I was thinking I would have to loosen the standing rigging for this proccess. This is the last phase of my initial interior gutting and cleaning. I got the head operational.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

BTW has anyone noticed the exceptionally high tides tonight, looked like the glaciors have started melting.

[killarney_sailor]

If I understand the situation you want to replace the cabin sole (plywood) that is directly under the mast base with the mast up? I don't think this can be done since the casting that the mast sits in will be through-bolted through the plywood to some structural component below the plywood. I think you will have to wait until you need to take the mast down for some reason and then do it. Perhaps you can replace the rest of the plywood in such a way that when the mast is out you can just replace this one piece (I doubt that the plywood is structural although I do not know your boat - nice purchase for a $100.

[JagsBch]

I already took the screws out, they where about an inch long (stainless steal wood screws. Looks like the plate is just resting on the cabin sole.

The mast comes down and rests on this aluminum block approximately 4x8" and the block rests on the plate it may be welded to it; the plate is screwed to the sole.

Boat is great for the price it is cleaning up nicely. I took the vinyl crap from where it was glued to the hull from all over the boat.

I found some carpet that is used in hotels, it is teal with a design in the center and then teal again at the boarder. It is super dence and very short. I can use the teal part for the sides and the funky part on the base of the settee's that will act as sleeping berths. It has one each side starboard and port. There is also one beneath the cockpit, and the one on the bow. I am wondering if weight factor will eliminate this option.