Need Advice on a Typhoon Compression Post

[Dave O'Neill]

I just noticed that the fore deck, near the cabin rise, on my recently purchased 1974 Typhoon is concave downward instead of concave upward. You can see a modest deflection when it is walked on. This model Typhoon is all fibreglass; it has no balsa/wood. Therefore rotting is not an issue. I believe that the concave upward shape is inherently stronger than concave downward, and therefore stiffer. I'm inclined to add a compression post. I don't think recovering a small amount of the original shape will present a problem, but I'm concerned that if I try to recover too much of the former shape I may run into gelcoat cracking or worse. The portajohn will have to go to make room for the compression post. My questions:

Is a compression post is necessary?

What is the procedure for the installation?

What would make a good compression post?

Should this be done on a hot summer day?

How far should I go in forcing the deck in the direction of its former shape?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions,

Dave O'Neill (Grace)

[Steve Laume]

Hi Dave, best to check the archives for information and pictures of compression posts. From your description I think it is safe to say that you should address the problem. You may have a bigger job than you think. How have you determined that your boat has no balsa core? As far as I know all of our boats have cored decks. A PO may have poured epoxy around fasteners holes through the deck. This is a good practice designed to keep water from entering the core and would give the impression of solid decks. If you notice deflection when you walk on the deck or a creaking sound that is a very good indication that you have delamination and or rot in the core. If you want to get an idea of what is going on and just how extensive it is get yourself a hard plastic mallet and start tapping on the deck. You can tap the hull a few times to get a feel and the sound of a solid surface. You will quickly notice any areas on deck that are soft. On a good deck you will notice a sharp feel and sound. If delamination is present the deck will sound dull with less bounce to the mallet. In direct answer to your original question; yes it does sound like your boat needs a compression post or posts. A hot day sounds like a good idea. Go very slowly, as in days, to get it back to original. Keep the stays and shrouds on the loose side. I have a feeling there are a lot of Typhoons out there sailing around with concave decks and delamination. It is a weak area of the design, Steve.