PSC 34 compression post

[cvsheppard]

It appears that I've developed a leak in or around the mast (probably for some time) and the compression post has started to split down the center lamination, about 3/8 inch at its widest. I do plan to have the local boatyard take a look at it asap. I know the mast will have to be dropped and and mast step checked for leaks. If anyone had experience replacing/repairing their compression post would you please share your advice.

[wsmurdoch]

In 2004 when we bought Irish Eyes we knew that water was entering the boat from the bottom of the mast and wetting the compression post. I opened the inspection plate on the bottom of the mast, placed a light inisde the mast, and poured fluid silicone caulk into the hole in the bottom of the mast where the cables enter the boat to stop the leak. That was successful. The leak was stopped. The leak had apparently started when radar was installed on the boat and the original cable seal was breached and not repaired.

A couple of years later while varnishing the cabin sole, I saw a small dry black spot at the base of the compression post. Probing first with my pocket knife and later with a screwdriver, I found a rotten void enclosing 3/4 of the base of the post. It looked like a cartoon rat hole. A baseball would fit inside. Also gone was the flooring between the compression post and the mush filled base on which the assembly rests. Bad news.

I live in East Tennessee and had a local hardwood lumber yard mill me five pieces of 3/4" white oak; four of which I built up into a replacement post and a fifth which made a new covering board for the cable way. I took the varnished new post and the boat to Oriental, NC where Sailcraft Services removed the old post, installed the new, and built up the base to the level of the cabin sole. After telephone discussions with LaFiel, Sailcraft welded a 6" tall 1" diameter aluminum pipe to the base plate of the mast to form a standpipe to keep water from again running from inside the mast, through the cable way, and into the compression post. So far, so good.

While the mast was off the boat we also replaced the standing rigging and put a new LED anchor light atop the mast.

Bill Murdoch
1988 PSC 34
Irish Eyes

[LouAnn34]

Hi Bill,

I have a 1987 34.

Am thinking about replacing the standing rigging in a few months.

My boat is located in Nicevile, FL near Destin, FL.

Who did you have replace the rigging? Types of fittings used (Swaged, Stay-Lock)? Approximate cost? Did you have the mast and boom repainted while it was off?

Thanks, Hank

s/v Lou Ann
Crealock 34, #68

[wsmurdoch]

I have 9/32" standing rigging with swages at the masthead and Norseman fittings at the spreaders, the backstay insulators, and at deck level. When we unstepped the mast, one of the deck level Norseman fittings was found to be split open. That precipitated the replacement of all the wire and that one fitting. All the other Norseman fittings appeared sound and were reused. We did not replace the forestay or the running backstays. The forestay was newer and the running backstays did not seem worth the effort.

We are aboard right now in North Carolina preparing to leave for the Bahamas. I have not found the receipt, suspect that it is at home, and can't remember the cost. Mark at Sailcraft Services in Oriental, NC did the work. We did not repaint the mast and boom while they were off the boat. We should have. We did replace the ground wire from the mast base to the grounding plate as it was badly corroded under its insulation.

Bill Murdoch
1988 PSC 34
Irish Eyes