[Rhodes22-list] Mast step issues?

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Matt,

My 1978 Rhodes has a stout compression post in the cabin under the mast.  I can’t speak about this feature re newer boats.  Is your cabin interior custom?  Unless your cabin roof is very thick, it would take something like a steel I-beam spanning the cabin to withstand the compression load from the mast without a compression post.  If you have a stud finder, you should be able determine if there is a steel I-beam built into your cabin roof.  If it’s not there; then, you have a problem.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium 
1978. Sanford, MI


Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 26, 2024, at 8:52 AM, Matt Wilson <mwhornblower at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hello Rhodies,
> 
> I hope you are all enjoying your summer and excursions.
> 
> I received word of Stan’s passing at the tail end of a wonderful sunset
> sail with my daughter and her fiancé.  How apropos!  Never met Stan but
> enjoyed seeing his personality and helpfulness via the emails he sent over
> the time I was on this list.
> 
> I just spent the first night aboard and happened to notice that there is a
> very slight bowing/sagging in the ceiling below the mast step. There is a
> similar dip in the deck on top. There is no other evidence of damage just
> very slight hairline cracks on the forward corners of the mast step.  I had
> noticed previously and been surprised by the fact that there is nothing
> directly under the mast like in most boats. Is this something I should be
> concerned about? Is the deck failing? Were the shrouds tightened a bit too
> much at some point. I could try to send a few pictures, but it’s pretty
> hard to see. But let me know if that would be helpful. thank you for your
> help and perspective.
> 
> Matt Wilson
> Hornblower II
> White Bear Lake, MN