My mast step stringers were in very bad shape and the mast plate was dropping
into the bilge so I'm replacing the step this winter. I have a few questions...
1). Terminology wise, are the lateral plywood supports considered the mast step
or stringers? Or is the heavy cast iron plate that sits on top of them called
the mast step?
2). I've read the very helpful documents about others who have taken on this
task. They have used GPO-3 or other non wood materials. I would like to use
epoxy coated hardwood because I'm much more comfortable shaping the wood to fit
in. If it lasts 20 years I'll be more that happy. The original plywood lasted
40 so I would think it should. My question is, what type of wood? I was
thinking White oak or Mahogany.
3). How important is it that the 3 new pieces go all the way to the keel? Of
the 3 current supports only the forward most support went all the way to the
base of the bilge, the other two had enough space between them and the bottom
of the bilge to pass a large diameter bilge hose through. I'm not sure if that
was original or if one of the PO's modified them to run the hose. There were
many failed repairs to the original structure.
4). I'm thinking about putting an automatic bilge pump in between the pieces
under the mast. The current setup only had a hose running in there to a manual
whale pump. Is it a good idea to put a small automatic pump in there?
Thanks,
Collin1974 C&C 30 MK1LibraBaltimore
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