[catalina'80]

Ok guys, im a newbie but i bought a 1980 c27... today is raining, and ive been reading horror stories about mast rot and i have a leak coming through my mast just near the compression post through the wires. This boat is leaking in other places as well, it alsp has the symptom of green algae growing on deck at base of mast. I just redid the bulkheads the two shrouds attach to due to serious rot.... any diagnostic tests short of taking the mast out?

 

[SHNOOL]

If you are talking about a Catalina 27, it's a deck stepped mast (I believe)... downing the mast and inspecting the mast step (where the real problem is) is likely your only choice. I know on my Capri 25, the mast step was bolted through the roof, into a metal plate glassed into the fiberglass. 12x12" or something. This is definitely the case on my S2.

I know 2 members of our club (with Cat 27s) had changed the flanged mast step out for a hinged mast step (to make it easier to self raise the mast), as our lake doesn't have any marinas with a mast crane. They stepped their mast themselves. Also the C27 is different in which the preferred mast raising is from a "tilted forward" position, so one would drop forward...

This isn't the end of the world, but it IS a decent amount of work. If you can do the work from below, it'll prevent the deck from losing the look. This work has been done on my S2 7.9 because it had a similar problem. They did the work from above, and painted a large section under the base... it still looks OK. My vote is if you don't want perfect LOOK (but it could be even if you painted the whole roof), work from above it'll be easier.

I hope others chime in, because I am not sure how much wood is in the sandwich on a C27. If you had that much bulkhead rot I'm not sure how bad the rot will be by the chainplates.

If you are OK with doing a decent amount of work, most of this is pretty straightforward, just keep in mind the mast step needs to be "exactly" the correct height when done... but if you keep the sandwich the same build height, that should be doable without a degree in advanced math (most use a 2x4 on edge and check for level over 18 inches or so both directions).

While it's raining I'd be noting each location of leaks.. Most likely locations are, chainplates, mast step, stanchions, and genoa tracks. Other places that could leak, winches and practically any other load based bolt through on the boat, rope clutches, cleats, etc.

Good luck and I hope you have some time to do a little elbow grease.

I know of probably 5 boats in our club (all different makes) where the owners have had to do this work. I still consider their boats "in great shape" and "well maintained."

 

[catalina'80]

Thank you very much, that is very helpful and i appreciate the time. I read about a wax ring from a toilet seal being the best cure. Where could i get such mast attachment? What is it called? Seems like a good idea (if within my budget) while i have the mast down

 

[catalina'80]

If you are talking about a Catalina 27, it's a deck stepped mast (I believe)... downing the mast and inspecting the mast step (where the real problem is) is likely your only choice. I know on my Capri 25, the mast step was bolted through the roof, into a metal plate glassed into the fiberglass. 12x12" or something. This is definitely the case on my S2.

I know 2 members of our club (with Cat 27s) had changed the flanged mast step out for a hinged mast step (to make it easier to self raise the mast), as our lake doesn't have any marinas with a mast crane. They stepped their mast themselves. Also the C27 is different in which the preferred mast raising is from a "tilted forward" position, so one would drop forward...

This isn't the end of the world, but it IS a decent amount of work. If you can do the work from below, it'll prevent the deck from losing the look. This work has been done on my S2 7.9 because it had a similar problem. They did the work from above, and painted a large section under the base... it still looks OK. My vote is if you don't want perfect LOOK (but it could be even if you painted the whole roof), work from above it'll be easier.

I hope others chime in, because I am not sure how much wood is in the sandwich on a C27. If you had that much bulkhead rot I'm not sure how bad the rot will be by the chainplates.

If you are OK with doing a decent amount of work, most of this is pretty straightforward, just keep in mind the mast step needs to be "exactly" the correct height when done... but if you keep the sandwich the same build height, that should be doable without a degree in advanced math (most use a 2x4 on edge and check for level over 18 inches or so both directions).

While it's raining I'd be noting each location of leaks.. Most likely locations are, chainplates, mast step, stanchions, and genoa tracks. Other places that could leak, winches and practically any other load based bolt through on the boat, rope clutches, cleats, etc.

Good luck and I hope you have some time to do a little elbow grease.

I know of probably 5 boats in our club (all different makes) where the owners have had to do this work. I still consider their boats "in great shape" and "well maintained."

Ok well i replaced a bunch of caulking on the top of the cabin and now the leak has slowed almost completely. Now its a drip a minute in moderate rain. Hopefully wont have to do the work you've graciously outlined, but when i get some money together it will be my next chore. Thanks for the help!!

 

[catalina'80]

Hello again all, so I have a new little thing thats popped up... my friend and i were out showing my son the basics of being the helmsman for me when just the 2 of us are out together and... when we came in to dock for one reason or another we hit the dock. Solid enough hit for to cringe and swear. I looked and i can see a slight dent, but there is no cracking aparent or anything that LOOKS serious. Should i pull it out of the water and repair it?? How bad is it underneath i wonder? Thanks.....

 

[Gladrags1]

Catalina uses plywood to stiffen up the cabin top. If you have been experiencing the kind of leaking you discussed as well as the bulkhead rot and algae growth, it is likely you have rot under and around the mast step. To avoid doing a proper repair, you risk catastrophic loss of your rig and possible injury to any aboard. There is a tremendous force downward from the rigging and proper support is critical!

Do a quick test to see if there may be rot: go to an area of the cabin top that is away from the mast where you don't suspect leaking. Take the handle of a screw driver and thump it on the Fiberglas. Note the sound that is resonated. Then go around the mast and see if the sound is different. It should be the same. Do a survey of the Fiberglas around the mast step and see if things change. To repair, you will likely have to cut the area out, replace the plywood and epoxy over it. If you are unsure, find a company who can check the hull with a moisture meter. I bet it will go through the roof.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news (don't shoot the messenger) but I thing losing your rig is a whole lot worse!

Good luck!

Tod

 

[JimsCAL]

Leaks are a pretty common issue on older boats like yours. The problem becomes if they aren't addressed, they can get into the deck core and rot begins. it sounds like you bought you Cat27 without a survey, so your really don't know what the state of the deck is. Gladrags gave you some good advice about the mast step area. As he noted, tapping with deck with the plastic handle of screwdriver should result in a sharp resonant sound. If its dull, then chances are you have a problem.

As to the docking incident, keep in mind fiberglass doesn't "dent". Hopefully it just gelcoat damage which is not structural, only cosmetic. If you hit hard enough, you could have some damage to the fiberglass which will require a more extensive repair. Can you take a couple of pictures of the damage and post them?

 

[Faster]

Can you take a couple of pictures of the damage and post them?

This would help.. the stem is a pretty strong structure and if you hit the dock head-on aside from a gel coat chip you might be fine.

If it wasn't a hard enough hit to take someone off their feet I think you'll be OK.

 

[travlin-easy]

The compression post on the older C27s is nothing more than a hollow, three sided box, the fourth side being the bulkhead it is attached to. If there has been any leakage at all, or any water in the bilge, there is a good chance that the base of the compression post is rotted out. Nothing unusual about this boat. I jacked up the cabin top, which lifted the post, cut off the rotted wood with a sawsall, then placed some heavy, aluminum plates under the compression post - problem solved. You may still have to repair some cracks in the gelcoat on the cabin top where the mast is seated.

Good luck,

Gary