[Rhodes22-list] Compression Post and Head Door Problems

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Allyn,

Are you certain your compression post ends at the top of the vinyl floor?  My compression post goes all the way to the bottom of the bilge.  Open up the bilge inspection grate in the galley.  You should see the bottom of the compression post. The only way a compression post could be as you describe is if there is also some sort of support structure under the cabin sole.  This support would transfer the load from the compression post to the hull.  Assuming this is the case; then, perhaps your under cabin sole support structure has a problem, like dry rot.  The solution would be to replace the rotted pieces/parts under the cabin sole.  I doubt the compression post itself needs to be replaced, especially if it ends at the cabin sole.  You would need to pull up the cabin sole and start replacing bad wood.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 23, 2021, at 8:47 AM, Allyn Baskerville <allynb at adsne.com> wrote:
> 
> Hopefully, I can describe this adequately. I took pictures a couple weeks ago, but they have disappeared off my phone. As last year progressed, it became increasingly difficult to get the head door opened as it would hang on the stop that's mounted to the floor. I have to pry the door up toward the center of the cabin to get it open (I keep my fishing poles in there). I noticed that as the door hung more and more, the ¼" plywood forward the compression post would bow out a little more as the year progressed, and currently it's probably bowed out about 1/8" past the compression post toward the center of the post.
> 
> I'm not sure why this is happening, but I sailed typically 2 days/week last year with several in 20+ mph winds. I did notice the compression post is mounted on top of the vinyl flooring, so I'm not sure if this is a factor.
> 
>  1.  I'm debating putting in a slight longer and sturdier compression post. I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.
>  2.  I'm not sure how the compression post is removed, though, so if anyone can shed some light on this, I'd be very grateful.
> 
> Thanks, all.
> 
> Allyn