Mizzen Mast Support - 2014

While working on the aft cabin I wanted to install the trim supports on the transom. However another catch 22 showed up.
I need to install a beam under the deck and step it on the transom to support the mizzen mast, which will be stepped on deck.
First I need 2 angle brackets. My torch set is in Arizona so I have to do everything by hand. Here's the first one.
   
This is the upper support and brackets in place. Now to paint it. Took 7 hours of work.

All painted and looking pretty. This will get mounted up in the ceiling and will hold the post in place, and take the weight of the mizzen mast which will be stepped on the deck.
   
I cleared the insulation away from the bottom support. The wood beam will sit on the rib just above the rudder post. It will be glassed in and bolted so it can be held at that acute angle. Here it is assembled and ready to install onto the upper beams. I build in a couple of hangars to assist me in installing this heavy brute. Weighs about 50 pounds, 3/16 " ship steel.
   
I removed the temp holding straps at the top and have the mounting plate fastened with a couple of screws. Lag bolts will finish the job when it is all done. Here I am fitting a scrap piece of wood to get the proper angles for top and bottom and the length. The lower part of the beam will have to be fiber glassed in place. So i have ground out all the epoxy paint to allow the resin to stick. (Fiber glass resin will not adhere to epoxy). Itchy job to say the least.....
   
Here's the beam set in place waiting to get glassed in. I am also adding 2 ribs going down at an angle to meet the other rib. This should distribute the downward forces a little better. The upper plate is now in place. I had to install the wood brackets in order to move the whole plate 1 inch to the port side. Next is sanding the beam and glassing it in place at the bottom and lag bolting the plate at the top.
   
The new ribs are installed and the post is glassed permanently in place. Now to paint it nice and put the insulation back in. Ran out of the grey so had to go with black polyamide epoxy.
   
 
All Done !