Compression Post Bottom Plate Removal (CB Trunk Top) The bottom plate is a separate piece from the compression post. It serves as a base in which the post securely sits as well as a solid platform from which the CB hangs. Many owners have complained about leaks in this area. Often they find water under the aft birth in the bilge area. Many think that their ballast tank is leaking when, in fact, water is being forced between the CB trunk and the plate through a bad seal. The water then flows down the cabin side of the trunk on to the top of the ballast tank and with motion runs along its edges to the aft bilge. Depending on how bad the seal is this can be quite a large amount of water! Since removing this plate necessitate the removal of the compression post, please refer to the separate procedure outlined here for the compression post. If you dont want to go through this fairly involved process, you can make a temporary repair by packing as much 3M 5200 around the edges of the bottom plate and over any screws you see in that area. That should hold you for a season or two. The Plate assembly looks like this:

Procedure: Step 1. Remove compression post (see separate article). Step 2. Remove the retaining screws as well as the large bolt. (The large bolt holds the CB bracket, but you can remove it without concern as the bracket is wedged into place and will not move without lots of help).

Step 3. Using pry tools, lift the plate out and free it of the CB line.



Step 4. Scrape as much sealant off as possible. Then, using a sealant remover (such as Marine Formula/Debond 2000), remove remaining sealant and clean area down to bare fiberglass/gelcoat.



Step 5. Clean plate of all sealant and use steel wool to remove any traces of rust. Step 6. Using a large amount of sealant cover the entire top of CB trunk with sealant making sure it is uniform with no air gaps. Put some more around tubes and screw holes in plate. (A tip here is to mask off the CB line where it comes through the plate so that sealant will not contaminate the line. Once plate is installed and sealant cured, masking tape can be removed leaving line sealant free).

Step 7. Replace the plate making sure it is properly seated and tightly screwed down. Sealant will ooze from the sides and thats good. Run your finger along edge of plate making sure there is a uniform seal all the way around. Dab some sealant around the screws. Plate should now cure for at least one week before further use and assembly. Once cured, remove masking tape from CB line if you taped it and re-install compression post.