cptday@globalnet.co.uk
2023-08-22T21:21:00Z
I unfortunately suffered a broken mast, and looking to see if anyone has replaced a mast on the P31.

The original mast profile from Zspars (Z380) is no longer made and the recommended new profile is too wide to fit onto the keel mast plate as too tight against the keel casing. Potentially a Seldon profile will fit and being investigated.

I am interested to hear if anyone has replaced a mast and find out which mast they used and any other information that might be of assistance etc

Thanking you

Chris Day

P31 Sula


Christopher Day

P31/5 Sula

Pat Morgan
2023-08-22T21:38:53Z
I have not had to deal with that problem. If I had I would be inclined to contact Evolution Rigging at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, who together with One Sails at the same place seem to know what they are doing.
cptday@globalnet.co.uk
2023-08-23T08:14:22Z
Thanks Pat, yes already have Richard from Evolution Rigging on the case, which is good news.

I posted this in case someone else had a similar experience they could share.


Christopher Day

P31/5 Sula

Paul Morris
2023-08-23T10:29:04Z
Hi Chris.

I have White Light P31/6.

A few weeks ago I had a chain plate /bulkhead failure on the port side. Which I would advise all P31 owners to check extensively as there were no external signs of this because the bulkhead is fibre glassed in, so not visible.

This caused the bulkhead to tear in half and split the deck. (Not good 😌).

On taking the mast down, it was found cracked at the forestay fitting.

I have been quoted for a new mast by Z spars and the section is Z401.

Thanks for your post.

I have checked and this new section is 29mm wider and 45mm deeper, and I have now contacted the repairers to have it checked and I will let you know the outcome.

Regards Paul

cptday@globalnet.co.uk
2023-08-23T21:39:34Z
Paul

Thanks, interested to hear what your outcome is

Chris


Christopher Day

P31/5 Sula

Ben8184
2023-09-13T12:30:35Z
Hi Chris, do you know what caused your mast to break?

Ben

cptday@globalnet.co.uk
2023-09-13T13:37:11Z
Ben

Shroud Cotter pin came out of the chain plate, had not noticed split pin was missing! I had thought it was taped up, but not checked it so can’t be certain what caused split pin to disappear. Something which will be regularly checked from now onwards

Chris


Christopher Day

P31/5 Sula

cptday@globalnet.co.uk
2024-01-08T17:02:03Z
Update, rightly or wrongly I have been advised to go for a Selden C137 section mast, this is ordered and delivery is expected circa late March, will know more in the spring!

Having heard about Paul's bulkhead issues, mine have been inspected and are sound, although we have lengthened the chain plates to give space for two more bolts.

Chris Day

P31 No. 5 Sula


Christopher Day

P31/5 Sula

Ben8184
2024-05-22T21:15:09Z
Iv just spent the last month working on my port bulkhead.

I thought I’d inspect my bulkheads/chain plates, with a view to extend the chain plates.

Mine looked ok…….

On inspection, my port bulkhead wasn’t very good, wet and soft.

From the factory, my port bulkhead was fitted to far aft.

This caused the chainplate, square deck plate to not sit fully on the raised, moulded pad on the deck.

The two aft deck bolts on the chainplate missed the raised pad on deck. So they went through the deck instead. This caused water ingress and deteriorated the wood.

So…

I cut the bottom of the aft heads locker out.

I chopping the bulkhead down to below the locker by about 100mm.

I offset the joints on the bulkhead. Which is made from 19mm and 12mm ply. I jointed the new with the old with 45 degree joints.

Iv moved the top of the bulkhead forward 15mm to make everything align on deck.

I epoxied the new wood in, with multiple layers of matting and thickened epoxy.

Refitted the bottom of the locker.

Luckily the raised deck pad, plywood was rotten, so I raked it out and filled it.

I have extended both chainplate by 500mm with a 6 degree kick to miss locker fronts. The chain plates now have 14 bolts, instead of 4 going through the bulkhead.

With matching 50mm back plates (which it never had)

I have also fitted backing plates under the deck, which involved moving a bolt on the deck plate.

All this was done without damaging the deck or heads moulding, working through the heads, locker doors and the door under the sink.

I’m hoping this should last……

cptday@globalnet.co.uk
2024-05-22T21:39:34Z
Ben

That was the issue Paul (see above) experienced, sounds like you have done a comprehensive repair job, I had mine checked and were sound, and like you we extended the chainplates as a precaution

I attach (hopefully) the photos from chart table side as easier to photograph which might be of interest to you and other forum members

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IMG_2881.jpeg

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Chris


Christopher Day

P31/5 Sula

Ben8184
2024-05-23T22:51:01Z
IMG_5858.jpeg

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Port locker, above the sink

IMG_5861.jpeg

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Repairing the head’s moulding, cutting out the rotten ply and replacing it with fibreglass

IMG_5860.jpeg

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Everything cut out on the port side

IMG_5871.jpeg

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First piece of ply going in.

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One of the new pieces of plywood.

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These are my starboard side backing plates, on the front side of the bulkhead. There in two halves to save cutting through the locker.

Excuse the mess, the boat is in pieces at the moment.

Ben8184
2024-05-23T22:52:42Z
This is my starboard side one fitted with one of the under deck plates

IMG_6065.jpeg

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These are my chain plates before drilling and polishing

IMG_5984.jpeg

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500mm extra in length. Bolt holes every 50mm.

IMG_5833.jpeg

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This is the port deck pad. The aft holes aren’t on the pad.

The little drilled hole was obviously where the chain plate should of been 😮

Ben