mast compression post: advice

[steve1963]

I have a SHE33, which has a "keel stepped" mast. The mast is actually supported by a short compression post (maybe 12-15cm long, by 7-9cm diameter) between the bottom of the bilge and a support pad , made of some sort of nylon looking material at the level of the cockpit sole. I am a bit concerned about the condition of stainless steel post, and would like to replace it. Ideally, I would like to replace it with a 316 stainless tube, but this would need to be quite beefy, I suspect, with a wall thickness of maybe 0.8 to 1 cm. Question is, where do I source such material? I have searched online, but no luck so far. The other option may be to build a post with epoxy. This maybe could be done by making a roll of woven roving, placing it in a tin, and then adding epoxy to make a sort of plug. Would this be strong enough to take the compression loads? Anyone like to comment?

 

[Neeves]

Any stainless fabricator could make up, weld, a square post of any size, overall, from standard 316 plate with an appropriate top and bottom plate. If you give them the exact dimensions they could make a recess, to match the mast base, in the top plate to secure the mast.

However it does not need to be stainless - you mast is aluminium, make the post from aluminium.

Jonathan

 

[LadyInBed]

support pad , made of some sort of nylon looking material at the level of the cockpit sole.
I am a bit concerned about the condition of stainless steel post

Where does the post fit in with the pad? Pictures are good!
SS Bar 100mm x 12mm 316 Stainless Steel flat | metals4U

 

[steve1963]

Thanks for the replies

Jonathan : It frequently sits in bilge water; I would worry about corrosion with aluminium?

LadyInBed: That is a good question! I will investigate further, and try to take some photos. Access isn't great though!