Compression post seal

[amytom]

The bottom of the compression post as been moist for some time but now it drips and has damaged the floor board under the table. At one time (after running the radar cable) I resealed the drain tube and cable-way under the forward seat. Any advice for resealing the bottom of the compression post itself?

[Catrina]

I can't help with sealing the compression post, but on my 32003 I found that moisture was caused by water collecting in the base of the mast step. I drilled a hole to drain water the collected in the mast base and solved the moisture problem I had that occurred from time to time.

[JerryC]

You need to put a 6" opp plastic pipe & silicone it in the wireing hole. I found a size that fits tight

Jerry

[pilgrim]

Jerry,
I have had this problem since I bought my PDQ hull #20. Did you drill the hole in the mast step? and I don't understand about the 6" plastic pipe. Could you explain please.
The way I remember my setup is the mast steps on deck in a cast fitting with a wiring tube standing vertically in the center of the step that the mast and radar wires was fed down and through the compression tube. During moderate or greater rain I get water dripping out of the compression tube bottom where the wires exit and go back through the seat panel. Anything you do so I can fix this would be helpful.
Thanks,
Bob (pilgrim)

[Catrina]

In the cast base I drilled a hole in Hull #3 to let any standing water inside the mast at the cast base run out. Did not have any leaks inside after that.

[JerryC]

The cast mast step has a hole in it for the wires to go down the compression tube. I have a piece of 6" plastic siliconed into the recess in the cast step where the wires go down. It sounds like you need to add or re silicone the plastic tube. If the water in the mast gets deeper than 6" I assume I would get water at the base of the compression post but I believe it seeps out before getting that deep.

[pilgrim]

Thanks for the info but when I was at the boat on the weekend I lost the courage to go drilling into the mast! Could you tell me if a 1/4 inch hole about 3 inches from the bottom of the mast sounds ok ? Also did you drill a hole on both port and starboard sides or did you use a single hole? Sorry for the questions but I have a problem with drilling holes in my boat particularly in a standing mast.
Thanks for anything that you can add.

Pilgrim

[Catrina]

I did not drill a hole in the mast. I drilled a hole in the cast base that the mast sits on. I was only 1/4 inch, just enough to let water drain out.

[pilgrim]

Catrina, thanks for the info. It seems that my mast step must be the reverse of yours. It consists of a flat piece that mates to the deck with a raised section in the center that the mast slides over and is centered on. After reading your description I went to the boat and drilled a small test hole near the bottom of the mast where it rests on the plate. I could see that I went through the mast and entered the piece that centers the mast on the step. I then drilled a 3/16 hole about two inches higher and found empty space inside the mast. We had pretty heavy rain last night and a check this AM indicates no water on the cabin floor. That is not final proof but I believe the problem is taken care of. Thanks for all of the help.

pilgrim

[amytom]

Pilgrim,

Any pictures of your mast step and where you chose to drill? I'm tired of having a rag taped to the bottom of the mast step.

Tom

[pilgrim]

amytom,
I will be happy to post a photo once I have one and then figure out how to do it.
what I can do is send you one (as soon as I take one) via regular email and then work on posting it on the forum it will still take me about a week as I will be away from the boat for about that time.
pilgrim