Hi all, I'd like to solicit the experts for some advice. I've attached some pictures of damage to the cabin overhead below the mast step that I just found today when I was getting the boat ready for spring sailing. It looks as if there's a leak around the step which has deposited some crud into the light dome, and I found a few drops of dried rusty water on the V berth directly underneath. In the past I have sometimes found a little water in the well below the compression post next to the battery, but thought it came through the post along the wire bundle coming from the mast. I don't quite understand how the fittings around the step are attached to the compression post, nor how the weight is distributed. My questions are: Is the boat safe to sail? How serious is the apparent damage? How can I assess it in more detail? How can I find out if there's water in the balsa core? There doesn't seem to be any sponginess yet. I've never done fiberglass work myself, so I'd need a yard if this is going to involve major reconstruction. Does any one know a yard in the DC - Annapolis area they'd recommend for this type of work? Sure would appreciate any advice and help I can get. Thanks, Rick M17 #633 Lynne L
