[C320-list] Leak or Condensation at Support Post Main Salon

[bairdrjb at aol.com]

At the end of October, Warren Updike responded to a post, giving me some tips on the possible source of a leak on the post in the main salon just beneath the mast.  Today was my first chance to get up the boat and I couldn't for the life of me find the mast drain hole to which he was referring.  The marina has already turned off the water supply for the winter, so I was not able to hose it down as he had also suggested.   There was still some noticeable condensation at the top of the post and I'm afraid the laminate flooring at the base seems to be a bit dark, so there is clearly a problem.  We have an in-mast furling system, so I am not sure if that is why I could not find the drain hole.  At the base of the mast (front, toward the bow), there seemed to be hole and I poked into that with a heavy gauge wire, but no debris or water emerged.  


Nonetheless, the boat is now covered for the winter, and I wrapped the mast with some extra canvas to help keep out snow and water.  We also wrapped the post inside the cabin with some canvas to help prevent moisture from dripping all the way to the floor.   Next week I intend to place some canisters of dehumidifier pellets in the cabin.   As usual we have removed all cushions and anything that could absorb moisture/create mildew.    But still, I wonder/worry what might be going on.  


Thanks again, Warren, for your input.   But I am still scratching my head.  Any suggestions?


Bob Baird - Whitehall, Michigan
Stardust
Hull 784 (2001)


-----Original Message-----
From: Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com>
To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Sun, Oct 30, 2011 12:37 pm
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Leak or Condensation at Support Post Main Salon


Here is a thought thanks to Jeff Hare who alerted me to the issue.  Unless
the plate on which the mast is stepped on deck has a bedding failure, the
most likely source is a clogged mast drain. Inside the mast at the deck is a
tube that comes up from the mast plate through which mast wires pass.  If
the drain is blocked, water can backup inside the mast and weep down the
wire tube.  I didn't know about this drain and sure enough, is was plugged
with dirt and old dead insects.  This drain is not obvious and I couldn't
tell where it was until I dropped the mast a couple of years ago.  It is in
the aft of the deck plate under the sheet block.  You can't really see it
from the deck; but, it's back in there inside the plate.  When washing the
deck I make a point to spray a good stream of water in there to keep it
open.  You can work a long small screwdriver or wire into the drain to open
it.  If that is your problem, you should see some water rather quickly from
the relieved drain.  Good luck with it.
Another point is to periodically introduce some penetrating oil to shafts on
which the blocks at the base of the mast are mounted.  These are SS passing
through the aluminum deck plate.  The dissimilar metals together with the
normal collection of dirt and dust will cause these to cease.  Each year at
decommissioning if a block won't turn in the base I pull it to clean and
reapply some Never Cease or some such. 

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"

-----Original Message-----
From: bairdrjb at aol.com [mailto:bairdrjb at aol.com] 
Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2011 3:56 PM
To: C320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Leak or Condensation at Support Post Main Salon

Discovered a small amount of water at base of the support post in the main
salon.  There seemed to alot of moisture at the top of the post where there
is a plastic piece with three screws that mount onto the cabin top.
Unzipped and removed the cover around that post and discovered some mildew.
The top and bottom of that cover were pretty wet.  Not sure what is going
on.  This is the end of my second season with the boat and I have never
noticed this before; nor have I ever removed the cover from that post.  The
boat is scheduled to be hauled out this coming week and she will be covered
for the winter.  Any ideas?


Thanks.


Bob Baird
Star Dust - Whitehall, Michigan
2001, Hull 784