On my 1978 M17, there are two compression posts inside the cabin. http://www.msogphotosite.com/MSOG/b17audasea/b17audasea2.jpg and http://www.msogphotosite.com/MSOG/b17audasea/b17audasea4.jpg One above the bunk and a shorter one under the bunk. Going from memory but it seems to me that both are round tubes fitted inside brackets that are screwed in place. Sounds like somebody has jury rigged a replacement. And a new problem I've never heard of before! I think you will be happier if you can replace those tubes and brackets with original equipment. The mast step can be replaced too. Some really nice ones have been made. An equally big job might be getting all the mast hardware installed in all the right places. All of these would be important for performance and structural integrity. I'd go slow on this one. Be patient and get it right. Howard On Apr 7, 2008, at 10:55 AM, Tom Smith wrote:
I suspect, because there is only compression loading on the support, sheer strength is really not important with the lower post David, and that 5200 would work fine. Matter of fact, it's probably better not to install it in a more permanent fashion so you can remove it easily in the future if necessary. 5200 is probably permanent enough.
I've never removed the upper compression post, so I don't know how it's connected. Someone else will have to weight in on that one...
Tom Just My 2 Cents
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