[frers-list]Mast Step

[Bob A.]

A weak mast step appears to be a common problem with the 33's....Carroll
Marine did not do a good job with constructing this area.
Our solution with #33 ( Windswept 3) was to peel off the top skin of the
step from the forward bunk bulkhead all the way to the bilge sump, remove
the soggy plywood that was supposed to be the structural filler, and replace
it with high density foam set on edge.
Any voids were filled with filled resin and glass strands. That whole length
of that box became one stiff unitized structural beam.
A new fiberglass top skin was laid, faired, and painted so it looked
original.
While we were at it, woven roving was bonded to the shower sump and the
under-sink sump.
There was a major improvement in supporting the mast load and keeping the
rig taught, and it's impervious to water seepage / rot for as long as the
boat lasts.

                                  Bob Ames.