Compression Post Repair

The fiberglass is actually lifting the bigle access cover

This problem of the cabin sole distorting under the mast compression post is fairly common on several Ranger models. The repair has been well documented by several other Ranger 33 owners, so I won't go into great detail. There seems to be quite a bit of variation between boats, whether due to East coast/West coast factory methods or simply who was working that day. My boat has a 24" long 2x4 directly under the compression post, entirely glassed into the outer hull.

In my case, there's simply an airspace of about 1/4 inch between the top of the 2x4 and the underside of the cabin sole, discovered after I removed the fiberglass accessible thru the forward bilge access using a Roto-Zip cutter (sort of a heavy duty Dremel tool, used mostly for dryway work). Why they left the cabin sole unsupported is a complete mystery.

I deferred my repair till I had the mast off the boat for my starboard remodel. Once the mast was off, I removed the compression post, and the cabin sole sprung back somewhat. I gace it a few weeks while I was doing other work, then I simply drove a small rectangle of 1/4" mahogany plywood, saturated and coated with epoxy, into the airspace, using a wood chisel to open the slot to accept the piece.

Maybe they left the gap to route wires?