Moody Eclipse 33 Compression Post Replacement

[Brett Mcleod]

Hello, I am looking at purchasing a 1990 33 Eclipse here in Australia. The broker has informed me that this one is suffering from a corroded compression post. There is no structural damage to the boat as yet and the post is holding up just badly corroded. I am looking to get a price to replace this with a 316 stainless post. I would like to find a drawing or the specs/dimensions but have had no luck on the google searches. Could anyone assist. It looks like a beautiful boat, I just don't want to press the go button, then get a massive repair bill straight up.

 

[Peter Wright]

Hi Brett,

I very much doubt that you will find a drawing to build the post from, but it's nothing very special. I would not want to try replacing it without taking the mast down, which will, of course, increase the cost. If you're replacing the compression post, it's worth checking the condition of the wooden block on which it stands and the wooden block in the deck which forms the plinth on which the mast step is mounted - both of these may be suffering from rot and it's a shame to replace the post while leaving these problems in place. Both blocks should be hard wood but some owners have found softwood in there.

If you take the existing post out to use as a pattern, any good welder will make you a copy in 316 stainless. The critical dimension is the overall height between the top and bottom plates.

Peter.

 

[Peter Wright]

Hi Brett,

I very much doubt that you will find a drawing to build the post from, but it's nothing very special. I would not want to try replacing it without taking the mast down, which will, of course, increase the cost. If you're replacing the compression post, it's worth checking the condition of the wooden block on which it stands and the wooden block in the deck which forms the plinth on which the mast step is mounted - both of these may be suffering from rot and it's a shame to replace the post while leaving these problems in place. Both blocks should be hard wood but some owners have found softwood in there.

If you take the existing post out to use as a pattern, any good welder will make you a copy in 316 stainless. The critical dimension is the overall height between the top and bottom plates. If you get a price for the job, you might be able to use it to negotiate a reduction in purchase price.

Peter.