Good evening all,
I own Laser hull # 387. I'm going to restore her this winter. I want to open her up and install inspection ports. My question is where is the best spot to have decent access to the mast step?
I have read that older hulls have wood installed somewhere along the centerline. Could someone please explain where it's located?
In my opinion, the best place for an inspection port for a mast step repair would be 8" to 10" away from the mast step hole in either the 4 or 7 o'clock position, the bow eye being 12 o'clock. Off the centerline, is best as the area is flat for a good watertight seal when you permanently put in the port after the repair. The center line of the deck is curved and not completely flat and is said to have a support stringer running through there.
Good evening all,
I own Laser hull # 387. I'm going to restore her this winter. I want to open her up and install inspection ports. My question is where is the best spot to have decent access to the mast step?
I have read that older hulls have wood installed somewhere along the centerline. Could someone please explain where it's located?
....restoring #387...that's a heavy responsibility with such an early museum piece! I hope you don't do what I did with my 74 #12716 and make it look newer. I think you have to treat it like an old camaro and try to "restore" it to original as possible...that's just me though.
My boat came with a port from the previous owner (centerline ) ...they prob didn't know about the center additional support until they removed the "hole". Oh well.
It's got to be a little tougher decision when you have to think about "cutting" on the early, rare hulls. It however would be a shame to have a step failure .
Best of luck...take pictures! Eric
I believe there is a picture of the centerline stringer on the "mast step" thread in the FAQ that Merrily set up.