'The Dreaded Beam'

[clausont]

Just as an informational type of "photo tutorial", I put together a quick web page on our website about replacing the "dreaded beam" in our Cal 2-29.
It is a pretty basic page with a group of photos and short descriptions of what was going on in the photos.
The Dreaded Beam « Seven C's Sailing Web Log
Please feel free to ask any questions on replacing the beam.

[delmarrey]

Thanks for the tutorial! I had heard of the steel beam on the Cal's but had never seen one that came out.

Good job & thanks!
........................................._/)

[bobfnbw]

What is the purpose of the 'beam'? is this to support the mast step?

If it is a recurrent issue on cal's, why not just replace it with a wooden one epoxied? Since that is a area that gets a lot of moisture, and little air circulation...

Your photo tutorial was good. Thanks for the link.
Bob

[CalebD]

This guy just replaced his mast support beam on a Cal 29: CAL 29 Sea Fever
Obviously the beam helps support the load of the mast and rigging and acts as a footing.
It was designed that way.

[barnakiel]

Great link. Very interesting post. THX.

Was there nothing under the beam? In my boat it looks like there beam ends some distance from the hull skin and then it is laminated to to skin but the beam itself does not touch the skin (ye, I know sounds weird but that's exactly how it is).

I was told this is so to avoid hard points.

b.

[clausont]

As I remember it, the beam was not actually touching the hull - just the liner. I don't believe that the beam was ever designed to reinforce the hull in any way, just to spread the load of the compression post and rigging. Not sure I am explaining that right, but I hope so.