165 maststep water leakage

Posted By: jrw45
Date: 5/12/09 12:46p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

I have a 165 precision. About a year ago I had the maststep replaced due to damage during a storm. Now there is a small collection of water inside the boat, and I believe it's from the maststep not being sealed properly during the replacement. I'd like to remove it myself and reseal it, but I'm unsure what I'll be getting myself into. I noticed there are four screws and one in the middle holding the maststep to the boat, however I see no nuts or any type of hardware inside of the boat in that area which would suggest what the screws are turned into, because the area is covered with carpet. Must I remove the carpet from the ceiling to see this hardware, or are the screws turned into something solid, making it not necessary to remove the carpet? Would it just be a matter for me to unscrew the screws, reseal the area under the maststep, then replace the screws? If anyone has experience doing this are there any precautions I should know of before I proceed? The other possible area of leakage would be the seams that the rubrail hides and or the skylight, (window in the front of the boat). The water inside the boat is a problem so I would like to address the area that's leaking. I also noticed now when stepping the mast the bottom edges of the mast grind away and at the five screws, mentioned above. Is this normal, it's almost like the pin in the mast is too far from the bottom edges causing the bottom of the mast to dig into and grind at these screws... Thanks Guys Jim