Bryon: 

Looking at the pictures - I'm thinking that the wood in the beam is crushed/being crushed - possibly because the beam wood has/is damp or rotting? 

Maybe use a small screwdriver and probe the area for soft wood. 

I'll also assume that you have checked that the verticle post is supported down to the hull - ie no soft wood blocks under the cabin sole... 

If you find the wood in the beam is soft/rotting etc - then the question is where the water came from? 

Also is the deck plywood that is sandwiched between the fiberglass top and bottom skins also wet?  

Let's see what you find before talking about a repair... 

HTH

Jay 

Hello Bryon,

I saw your original post and the pictures of your mast compression problem.  It's difficult to tell exactly what's going on from the pictures, but I agree with Jay's comments about possible water penetration. Based on your latest comments, it sounds like the area is dry (so maybe there was a leak at one time but it was fixed?) but that portion of the deck beam directly above mast post does look like it could be soft "punky" and even some level of delamination in the deck beam?

If you haven't already reviewed it, the Westsail Service Manual section A-19 discusses this issue and makes recommendations for a fix. Based on your pictures and the brass plate already inserted, it could be that a prior owner already attempted or completed the repair suggested in the manual? If the repair has been completed and you feel comfortable with the aesthetics and structural integrity, then perhaps no additional repair is necessary.

I'm certain others here will have additional thoughts and recommendations.  If, after further evaluation you question structural integrity, the fix may be more complex including scarfing in an entire new center section of the beam or full beam and post replacement.

Best of luck and I hope you find a solution that works well for you. 

Don

Byron: 

Adding to Dave - comments - "replace the Oak" - I'd recommend White Oak as Red oak is very porous.  https://www.cabinetdoors.com/images/red-oak-endgrain-zoom-200x200.jpg

I also found a picture of Saraband mast support and my fix on Pygmalion in 2012... 

THT

Jay 

Hello Bryon.  Give me some contact info at ahoyrand@yahoo.com.   Thanks.   Dave

Bryon:

If you have to replace the crushed wood - please take photos of the project as I'd like to make them available for others on this site.

Mike: 

One of the fixes that Bud suggests and that I've installed - are 4-5 bronze nuts/bolts installed through the deck beam.  Two of which can be seen in the attached image. 

My understanding is that the bolts are supposed to tie the beam and the bulkhead together ie spread the load from the deck beam to the bulkhead. 

This suggests that the bulkhead isn't secured originally to the bottom of the cabin nor the beam.  There may be an air gap between the top of the bulkhead and the bottom of the cabin top hidden inside the deck beam. 

On Pygmalion the deck beam is made out of multi pieces of mahogany and ash? that surround the bulkhead but were not actually secured to the bulkhead before I added the bolts. 

In Bryon's case, the mahogany has been crushed - I think we will know the cause later assuming he works on the area. 

A disclaimer is that I have NOT actually disassembled the desk beam and so I can only guess from what I see on Pygmalion. 

Also I would not be surprised if other boats are different in this area as construction did change over time. 

Jacking up the deck/beam - Yes the jack will need to be supported carefully to spread the load on the cabin floor and desk beam or there will be issues...  also the standing rigging will need to loosened to allow movement. 

I'm told that the bottom of the beams are supposed to be on the same plain... sight along the bottom or use a tight string to see if the beam under the mast has moved. 

 HTH 

Jay