Depressed mast plate on a Dufour 32

[POSICRON]

I currently have the mast off a Dufour 32 classic to enable the rigging to be renewed. The rigger spotted a potential issue with the mast plate which appears to be depressed below the curvature level of the coach roof. It is not a significant dip but certainly does not look right. On further inspection in the saloon nothing appears broken or loose, and there is no apparent rotting of the material between the fibreglass skins. The mast plate is securely fitted to the deck and sits on the internal mast support which in turn is tight against the keel, so it’s difficult to see where this apparent sag has come from.
Has anyone else seen any similar problems with this model, or have any information that might help before the mast is re-stepped. I have pictures if that helps.
Thanks All

 

[yoda]

I had a similar problem on a different boat and when I looked more closely inside the boat I found the deck wasn't originally supported by the frame as it should have been but there was a small gap between them. I only found this out when I started taking things apart inside.

Yoda

 

[A1Sailor]

As you say there is a vertical post of some sort going from the keel area to the mast plate. I don't think there should be anything compressible between the post and the plate. The forces involved are considerable and you need to get it investigated before restepping the mast. Perhaps by a surveyor.

 

[scrambledegg]

I have had similar coach roof compression, but also on a different make although similar arrangement of deck stepped mast supported by internal king post ( think that is what it is called ). The internal filling material between the skins of the coachroof, wood with grain aligned to the compression forces, had been somewhat flattened. This in turn had caused a considerable lateral crack in the mast step, not evident until the mast was removed.
If your mast step is not showing distress you are probably ok for now.