A New Platform

I finally had time to address the compression post support platform, so I brought the boat into a slip for the night for easy access to shore power. I got to work cutting out the damaged area. The aft edge of the platform held the mast compression post, but surprisingly, there was no support directly below the post and the 3/4" marine plywood had failed after 50+ years. I had been meaning to add a hatch to the platform since it was the last remaining area that was closed off with no access to the hull underneath, but I hadn't considered structural issues. I decided to simply use pressure-treated deck boards spanning the width of the platform, with a short section of pressure-treated 4x4 as a support post directly underneath the existing mast compression post. Luckily, the inside of the hull was built up with many layers of fiberglass to a level surface, since externally this section of hull is "v" shaped. This could have been done to facilitate a post like the one I added that was perhaps omitted by mistake during construction, or may have simply been a natural consequence of the heavy reinforcement at the forward edge of the keel trunk. Either way, it was convenient since I didn't have to match the angles of the "v". Now the mast support should be stronger than new! I'll have to give thought how to improve the cosmetics of it later, but at least we can sail safely again.

Damage cut out

Repaired



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