Reshaping the Mast Step

Our new mast base plate is larger than our mast step, so we reshaped it to the correct size and shape.  I sanded off the paint down to bare glass/gelcoat. During this process hairline cracks revealed themselves in the cabin top gelcoat, starboard of the step. This is the side that had taken the strain when the boat was dismasted, and it was slightly depressed back when the mast was on the boat.  At that time (and currently) the boat had no interior cabin roof support structure to the starboard bulkhead.  So AJ decided we should reinforce the spiderweb-cracked area, not just build up the step. We laid two layers of biax around the mast step, sanding out and then covering the cracks.  After that had cured and was sanded fair, we built a dam out of modeling clay in the shape of the new step.

The dam was filled with chop strand fiberglass and epoxy. To press out the excess resin and air, and to ensure a flat final surface, we placed a lid on top: Foam cut to shape and wrapped in wax paper so it doesn't stick. 

AJ sliced up his hand chiseling off the rough edges.  Cured glass strands will puncture you like a needle.  Epoxy doesn't stick to modeling clay, but modeling clay sticks to everything.  Plus the modeling clay we used didn't hold up in the sun.  It worked fine as a dam that left a nice rounded filet, but became so soft and gooey in the heat that it couldn't be pulled up without a mess.  First we dug out all the bulk, then scrape out quite a bit, then wiped out the rest, leaving a gooey colored residue on all of it, and about a dozen little pinholes crammed full of clay.  The pinholes had to be dug out with a pick and acetone rags and Q-tips finished off the rest.  The whole cleaning process took almost an hour. The mold-making modeling clay from the fiberglass store might not have gotten as gooey, but it was Memorial Day weekend, and no one was open but Wal-Mart.  Once the goo was gone, we sanded it down flat, detailed the edges, and epoxy-faired the imperfections

Now all it needs is paint!

We are making good headway on our 9 day list. (Now in Checklist to Launch). But as expected there are a few hick-ups.  Today it's dumping rain...  and that is supposed to continue through the week...  and we're still waiting on a few key components to move forward with rigging.  But the stay wires are cut and we've begun terminating them with what fittings we can.  We also built the mast support blocks (the ones at the keel end), and they are ready for final fitting and assembly.  It's been a little of this, a little of that, so that when we get the missing pieces, hopefully the puzzle can be solved quickly.