Compression around Typhoon mast step

[Alex Barnett]

Hello all,

I'm the happy owner of a 1971 Typhoon Weekender. In the last year or so I've noticed compression around the mast step--no cracking, but a little bowl something like 0.75 inches deep. I see comments here about installing a support post inside the cabin, but I can't see any distortion of the beam. I take it this is common in older Typhoons.

I'd be grateful for any advice. Has anyone had success repairing the deck without installing a post? How did you do it? Is there core material in the deck? Also, does anyone know of a supplier for the mast step itself; one of the slots on mine (that received the pin on the mast) was broken off long ago.

Cheers

Alex Barnett
Camden, ME



alex_barnett@mcgraw-hill.com

[Richard Stephens]

Alex,

I'm the happy owner of a 1971 Typhoon Weekender. In the last year or so I've noticed compression around the mast step--no cracking, but a little bowl something like 0.75 inches deep.

The deck in the area of the mast step is balsa cored. It sounds like the wet has gotten into yours and the mast compression has flattened the rotten core. I would treat the area as for a delaminated deck (ie, major surgery!).

I see comments here about installing a support post inside the cabin, but I can't see any distortion of the beam. I take it this is common in older Typhoons.

The mast compression problem in Typhoons is not a distortion of the beam, but bending and cracking of the side-decks around the knees.

Regards,
Richard.



richard@memory-map.com