Endeavour 43 Mast Step Corrosion

[GXS256]

Does anyone have experience with replacing the mast step on one of these? It seems to have been a common problem but all of the contacts on the endeavour owners website are so old that it doesn't seem possible to contact those who have fixed the problem. The support for the mast step appears to have been 2 steel horizontal channels over the keel with 2 vertical steel beams separating them. All of the Endeavours seem to have had similar problems but each model was slightly unique.

[DeepFrz]

If you check down at the bottom of this thread you will see links to other threads dealing with mast steps. Not the same boat but you may be able to get ideas you can use.

[brankin]

The removal and replacement of the mast step is a major job that requires removal of the water tank to gain access to the area you need to work. Basically the mast step is two 10" channel iron with two welded up rights. The only way to properly repair the step is total removal. I had an additional problem because the previous owner had poured concrete around the step to help support the rot. You will need a 4 1/2 " electric grinder with a bunch of cut off wheels to cut the top of the support out in sections. After you have cut off the top of the step, you will have access to cut the fiberglass that had the lower section bonded to the hull. Here is a link to my photos of the project.
Mast Step Repair
The photos of the finished glass work are missing. Be carefully to measure the distance of the step to the floor and its relationship to the sides of the hull so the new step will be aligned properly for the install of the mast.
Hope this helps