Commander Compression Post Discussions
Does any one know exactly how the bottom of the compression
post is held in place? Do you have to remove the sole to inspect
it? It appears to be glassed in and sitting on the lead but its
hard to get an idea peeking through the bilge hatches.
I have cut out the core above the post to reveal rot and some
dampness. The top of the post is free and it can move around
somewhat. As I am soon to bed in a 1/4", tapering to 1", 8"
diameter , solid glass pad above the post I wonder what might be
done to the bottom while at this junture. Any Commander owners
that have had their compression posts out or any thoughts as to
what might lurk at the posts bottom would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, B.
Commander#215
Commander Compression Post cap/top
The top/cap of my compression post show signs of needing replacement. It is pie shaped and is slightly wider at the top. There is a metal washer about the same diameter as the bottom of the cap that appears to be through bolted to the mast mount on top of the deck. I am guessing that that washer spreads the compression load over the cap and supports the mast mount on the cabin top. The only through points are the small pipe lead the cabin top and the mast mount bolts.
There are several open cracks on the edge of the cap and the washer appears to have crushed into the bottom of the cap. I believe that the situation has gotten slightly worse over the past year.
Has anyone removed and rebuilt this cap? Has anyone made a mold to fabricate it? Is it possible to have this turned from wood and then glassed?
Suggestions anyone?
Commander Compression post & pad
That title does sound like a bed and breakfast doesn't it. Join us for a fun filled day at the Commander Post & Pad...Water sports are available for the adventurous. Hmmmmm...
The mast is still up and I hope that I will get some more sailing in. My shrouds are barely taunt. I might be talked into tightenng them if it blows like it did last night. I was forced, mind you, into racing with a friend in one of these weeknight series. I was a gracious guest and didn't comment about how 12-15 was so delightful in my Commander...But there I was on a Catalina 36.....The cockpit was not 10 ft larger...but was a tad wider. They did roll their eyes a bit when I suggested that real boats had tillers.
I will take my digital camera out to the boat this weekend, and try to take some pictures. I was thinking I might also probe one of the cracks with an ice pick to see what is underneath.
Thank you for the information on the pad. If that is all it is, then I can, at the worst, cut the tabing, drop the pad and cut a new pad out of regular ply and glue it up with some epoxy. And then tab it back into place.
Commander compression post removal - HELP
Is there anyone on the forum who has removed or repaired the compression post on the Commander?
I am faced with either tearing up the floor or removing a lage section of the cabintop in order to pull the pole out.
Mast - compression post for thru bolts?
Working on the mast for Ariel #400....and looking for some advise
Removing the through bolts for both the spreaders and uppers - I found that there are no compression posts for these bolts to prevent the mast from being distorted or crushed. Is this the normal state of things?
I am also busy trying to remove the mast base to adapt a mast hinge - has anyone used a slide hammer to whale away at the base?
I have removed two compression posts from Commanders
Hello all,
I have experience removing and working the area of the compression posts on Commanders, don't know if there are any outstanding questions that I can help shed some light on. Here's a couple of points though:
1) The compression post is schedule 80 anodized aluminum.
2) The sole was installed first, then the post lowered down through the forward hatch and inserted into the cabin sole hole at a slight angle.
3) The lower end of the post sits on a built up fiberglass base in the bildge. Most likely with wood somewhere inside. The post itself is not glassed in.
4) The wooden wedge between the top of the post and the underside of the cabin is made of teak. The wedge is necessary for the same reasons the mast base has a slope to it.
5) Pearson cored the entire cabin roof, to include (unfortunately) the area immediatedly under the mast step.
6) The core is 3/8 inch end grain balsa.
7) Any detected movement is a sure sign that the balsa's integrity has been compromised. ie, water intrusion followed by rot / decay.
8) No work should be attempted with the spar (mast) up.
9) To remove the compression post strip away the very light tabbing around top of the post and with a block of wood drive the top of the post directly forward. Remember, the post was installed through the cabin sole hole at an angle and will come out at an angle. The biggest challenge will of course be in overcoming any downward movement the cabin roof made due the core failure.
I'll leave it at that for now, unless there are more questions of repair, etc..
Thanks,
Chance.
Well Tony I guess it's kind of like the saying...
"One man's trash is another man's treasure".
I guess the single biggest reason could be summed up in a single word which is family. Which is also the biggest reason I chose the commander to be my next boat. My wife sails with me most of the time when I sail. And a private head for her is very high on her list of necessary requirements.
Also I have two grown daughters. One of the main reasons for the commander was the large cockpit which allows me to take my oldest daughter and her husband and our two grandsons sailing with my wife and myself. And when you have that many folks on board you need a private head area even more.
There are however many other reasons for my choice and here are a few.
1.) I really dislike the post in the middle of the access to the v-birth. A lot.
2.) While per your post it may offer a handhold the edge of the doorway can do the same while allowing me to carry things into and out of the v-birth area much more easily.
3.) The partial bulkheads in the commander seriously limit what one can do for built in storage. A bulkhead that goes all the way to the deck will allow me much better options for the sink and stove and storage of galley items.
4.) We cruise a couple of times a year for a week at a time and we have another couple we sail with. The new bulkhead and curtain for a door will allow a little more privacy for us and our friends to get ready for bed and dressed in the morning.
5.) My previous boat had a strongback and it functioned flawlessly. I really liked that setup and I have no doubt I can engineer somthing for this boat that will do the same.
In the end I guess it boils down to personal preference. There really is no "right" way just a matter of choice.