Another "Dreaded Beam" question

Does anybody know for sure whether the 2-30 has the steel beam, or did Cal only start using that structure on later boats? Thanks, David Blakey

Hi, All. For our newer Group members, the “dreaded beam” is a steel part under the cabin floor at the bulkhead (for keel stepped masts, I believe), and the “less-dreaded beam”, is a wooden part just below the deck at the main bulkhead to help support deck stepped masts. I believe the 2-30 was deck stepped and did not have a “dreaded beam”, but don’t quote me. Then there were folks like cAp’N dEmo who turned his CAL 40 into a deck stepper for a while. Cheers Charlie Annapolis CAL 25 and CAL 40 From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 3:47 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Another "Dreaded Beam" question Does anybody know for sure whether the 2-30 has the steel beam, or did Cal only start using that structure on later boats? Thanks, David Blakey

Gee,that means all Cals have more or less dreaded beams. My Cal 24, the O.G. (original gangster) Cal, has a dreaded beam below the mast which has a slight sag and is cracked, and I've been meaning to reinforce it since I bought the boat, took it sailing with the PO's shrouds set tight as a piano string, then noticed it was cracked the next day. And, lo! The crack seems to be getting gradually worser every year. I have my shrouds set too loose, but this doesn't seem to stop the problem, in fact, I hear tell it's not good for boats speed, trim, or handling, but it does allow my #3 jibs to trim closer winded while going up wind. I once looked at a Ranger 26. It's overhead beam was so collapsed that it prevented the companionway hatch from opening properly, but I was told by the owner that this was common.Since I'm on the subject, and the subject has never yet been discussed, what's the easiest way to remediate this problem? I was thinking of just layering on some more fiberglass over the offending crack. There aint much headroom below it as it is. Other ideas include laminating another piece of wood alongside it. I don't detect any rot, and I think the dark areas on the clear overhead fiberglass are just accumulated mold...I hope...that's on the exterior surface, not internal. GULP!Gerald Sobel Cal 24-#71 later day kit boat. On Wednesday, April 22, 2015 1:02 PM, "'Charlie Husar' hu… [at] gmail.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: Hi, All. For our newer Group members, the “dreaded beam” is a steel part under the cabin floor at the bulkhead (for keel stepped masts, I believe), and the “less-dreaded beam”, is a wooden part just below the deck at the main bulkhead to help support deck stepped masts. I believe the 2-30 was deck stepped and did not have a “dreaded beam”, but don’t quote me. Then there were folks like cAp’N dEmo who turned his CAL 40 into a deck stepper for a while. CheersCharlieAnnapolisCAL 25 and CAL 40 From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 3:47 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Another "Dreaded Beam" questionDoes anybody know for sure whether the 2-30 has the steel beam, or did Cal only start using that structure on later boats?Thanks,David Blakey

Charlie,I don't think you're correct. The Cal29, deck stepped has the beam also. As I remember Alfred Poor did a replacement, and Wilke also on 29';s.Dobbs, Cal29411 On Wednesday, April 22, 2015 6:48 PM, "Gerald Sobel so… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: Gee,that means all Cals have more or less dreaded beams. My Cal 24, the O.G. (original gangster) Cal, has a dreaded beam below the mast which has a slight sag and is cracked, and I've been meaning to reinforce it since I bought the boat, took it sailing with the PO's shrouds set tight as a piano string, then noticed it was cracked the next day. And, lo! The crack seems to be getting gradually worser every year. I have my shrouds set too loose, but this doesn't seem to stop the problem, in fact, I hear tell it's not good for boats speed, trim, or handling, but it does allow my #3 jibs to trim closer winded while going up wind. I once looked at a Ranger 26. It's overhead beam was so collapsed that it prevented the companionway hatch from opening properly, but I was told by the owner that this was common.Since I'm on the subject, and the subject has never yet been discussed, what's the easiest way to remediate this problem? I was thinking of just layering on some more fiberglass over the offending crack. There aint much headroom below it as it is. Other ideas include laminating another piece of wood alongside it. I don't detect any rot, and I think the dark areas on the clear overhead fiberglass are just accumulated mold...I hope...that's on the exterior surface, not internal. GULP!Gerald Sobel Cal 24-#71 later day kit boat. On Wednesday, April 22, 2015 1:02 PM, "'Charlie Husar' hu… [at] gmail.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: Hi, All. For our newer Group members, the “dreaded beam” is a steel part under the cabin floor at the bulkhead (for keel stepped masts, I believe), and the “less-dreaded beam”, is a wooden part just below the deck at the main bulkhead to help support deck stepped masts. I believe the 2-30 was deck stepped and did not have a “dreaded beam”, but don’t quote me. Then there were folks like cAp’N dEmo who turned his CAL 40 into a deck stepper for a while. CheersCharlieAnnapolisCAL 25 and CAL 40 From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 3:47 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Another "Dreaded Beam" questionDoes anybody know for sure whether the 2-30 has the steel beam, or did Cal only start using that structure on later boats?Thanks,David Blakey

Thanks, David. I can easily believe I was wrong since I was working from a small experience sample. Should have checked more data before I “mouthed” off. Cheers Charlie Annapolis CAL 25 and CAL 40 From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 9:45 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Another "Dreaded Beam" question Charlie, I don't think you're correct. The Cal29, deck stepped has the beam also. As I remember Alfred Poor did a replacement, and Wilke also on 29';s. Dobbs, Cal29411 On Wednesday, April 22, 2015 6:48 PM, "Gerald Sobel so… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: Gee, that means all Cals have more or less dreaded beams. My Cal 24, the O.G. (original gangster) Cal, has a dreaded beam below the mast which has a slight sag and is cracked, and I've been meaning to reinforce it since I bought the boat, took it sailing with the PO's shrouds set tight as a piano string, then noticed it was cracked the next day. And, lo! The crack seems to be getting gradually worser every year. I have my shrouds set too loose, but this doesn't seem to stop the problem, in fact, I hear tell it's not good for boats speed, trim, or handling, but it does allow my #3 jibs to trim closer winded while going up wind. I once looked at a Ranger 26. It's overhead beam was so collapsed that it prevented the companionway hatch from opening properly, but I was told by the owner that this was common. Since I'm on the subject, and the subject has never yet been discussed, what's the easiest way to remediate this problem? I was thinking of just layering on some more fiberglass over the offending crack. There aint much headroom below it as it is. Other ideas include laminating another piece of wood alongside it. I don't detect any rot, and I think the dark areas on the clear overhead fiberglass are just accumulated mold...I hope...that's on the exterior surface, not internal. GULP! Gerald Sobel Cal 24-#71 later day kit boat. On Wednesday, April 22, 2015 1:02 PM, "'Charlie Husar' hu… [at] gmail.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: Hi, All. For our newer Group members, the “dreaded beam” is a steel part under the cabin floor at the bulkhead (for keel stepped masts, I believe), and the “less-dreaded beam”, is a wooden part just below the deck at the main bulkhead to help support deck stepped masts. I believe the 2-30 was deck stepped and did not have a “dreaded beam”, but don’t quote me. Then there were folks like cAp’N dEmo who turned his CAL 40 into a deck stepper for a while. Cheers Charlie Annapolis CAL 25 and CAL 40 From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 3:47 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Another "Dreaded Beam" question Does anybody know for sure whether the 2-30 has the steel beam, or did Cal only start using that structure on later boats? Thanks, David Blakey