Northstar/Hughes 26 mast support system refit

[Matti Mukkala]

Anyone know where I could find construction documents and blueprints for the Northstar / Hughes 26? I've searched and searched and can't find anything...

The floor under the fiberglass sole of the hull liner which supports the compression post is composed of wood about 4cm wide. It is laminated wood like a lam-beam or maybe several sheets of plywood next to each other. It is completely delaminated and offers very little support to the compression post. This is evident by the broken fiberglass above the tabbing on the forward face of the floor. There is a small opening with removable floor boards in the sole near the floor that needs to be replaced. I'm hoping there will be enough access to replace the floor without removing the sole in the area.

I have a couple of questions relating to this issue and a question about another issue...

1. can I replace the floor with a similarly sized piece of hardwood like oak or maple? Or could I use pressure-treated lumber? Anything would be better than what's there now.

2. If I completely encase the new floor in fiberglass and epoxy prior to installation, will it last? The floor will be above the bilge water if I am diligent about draining the bilge.

The other issue.

The mast base was not original equipment when I bought WINDFALL.
The mast base was attached to the deck with (4) 3/8 bolts and it appears that the bolts thread into a 6-7 cm thick raised wooden core with no "nuts" or metal threads at all, from what I can tell. The wooden support structure is built into the deck (core?) and sits atop the compression post. Is this a typical design, holding the mast base to the deck with only wood to hold the bolts?

I built a hinged mast base to facilitate raising the mast without the use of a crane. I'm concerned that the mast base should be thru-bolted so it cannot pull free of the deck whilst stepping the mast. Thru-bolts would look a little ugly because they would be visible inside the cabin. That said, ugly doesn't bother me very much. I prefer ugly and strong to pretty and weak, at least when it concerns structural components.

Construction plans and the like would be very helpful in deciding how to best solve these small issues. Any input would be welcome, I'm hoping to launch WINDFALL in a month or two, maybe the end of April if the ice melts on Lake Superior...

Don Salo
AKA Matti

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Matti Mukkala

Anyone know where I could find construction documents and blueprints for the Northstar / Hughes 26? I've searched and searched and can't find anything...

The Hughes 26 sailboat was designed by Sparkman & Stephens [S&S# 2135C3], and built by Hughes Boat Works, starting in 1976.

“... In most cases, the plans are well preserved and available. However, we [S&S] do not issue plans for personal refit purposes. We are happy to work with your boatbuilder, or recommend a boatbuilder to you...
... To start the research and documentation process on any design, we must charge a fee to cover our time and expenses. The fee is $2,000USD...”
More ➥ https://www.sparkmanstephens.com/contact

Contact Sparkman & Stephens
Email: Info@SparkmanStephens.com
Phone: (401) 847-5449
Fax: (401) 847-0052

One Washington Street
Newport, Rhode Island 02840

[Matti Mukkala]

Thank you GordMay, I appreciate your rapid response! I am looking forward to launching this fine yacht which is new to me. I am very pleased with the way this boat is constructed and am looking forward to many years of excellent service.