Replacing Missing Mast Base Cover – E34-2

[ALEXIS FERNANDEZ]

Just starting to work through interior restoration items on my 1989 Ericson 34-2 refit.

One area I’m trying to improve is the mast/compression post area where the mast meets the cabin sole. The original cover/trim piece appears to be missing and a previous owner installed a rough plywood cover that doesn’t look original or properly finished.

I’d love to:
- see photos of original E34-2 mast base trim/covers
- hear what materials others used for replacements
- know whether teak, teak veneer plywood, Starboard, or another material worked best
- source material that matches the original sole/interior as closely as possible

I attached a few photos of the area and surrounding interior woodwork for reference.

Appreciate any ideas, photos, or sourcing recommendations.

Alexis
1989 Ericson 34-2
Nyack, NY (Hudson River)

 

[Christian Williams]

The original is teak and holly laminate plywood 1/2 to 3/4 thick, depending on the boat.

It's sold as 4' x 8' sheets, somewhere near $500-$800 per

There is a fair chance some member here has some in his garage, and could ship it to you.

There are also many non-wood substitutes, if you can find one so lines of the T & H match.

Cabin Sole Replacement ]https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/replacement-of-cabin-sole-master-thread.1526/

 

[ALEXIS FERNANDEZ]

Thanks, this is super helpful and confirms what I was starting to learn digging into it further.

Sounds like the original teak & holly laminate plywood is probably the ideal route, but for my small bilge hatch replacement it’s hard to justify buying an entire 4x8 sheet right now when I likely only need a relatively small piece.

If anyone happens to have an extra offcut/scrap piece left over from a sole replacement project, I’d definitely be interested in buying it (and covering shipping of course).

Appreciate all the guidance — learning a lot already.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Thanks, this is super helpful and confirms what I was starting to learn digging into it further.

Sounds like the original teak & holly laminate plywood is probably the ideal route, but for my small bilge hatch replacement it’s hard to justify buying an entire 4x8 sheet right now when I likely only need a relatively small piece.

If anyone happens to have an extra offcut/scrap piece left over from a sole replacement project, I’d definitely be interested in buying it (and covering shipping of course).

Appreciate all the guidance — learning a lot already.

Hi Alex,
We have some leftover from our sole replacement. It's 1/4" T&H veneer/ply and I laminated that to 3/4" marine ply. More details in the linked thread. - If you send me the dimensions, I'll measure the pieces.
As an alternative, some companies sell plastic sheet that looks pretty darn realistic. You may be able to buy it in smaller pieces.
Jeff

 

[ALEXIS FERNANDEZ]

Hi Alex,
We have some leftover from our sole replacement. It's 1/4" T&H veneer/ply and I laminated that to 3/4" marine ply. More details in the linked thread. - If you send me the dimensions, I'll measure the pieces.
As an alternative, some companies sell plastic sheet that looks pretty darn realistic. You may be able to buy it in smaller pieces.
Jeff

Hi Alex,
We have some leftover from our sole replacement. It's 1/4" T&H veneer/ply and I laminated that to 3/4" marine ply. More details in the linked thread. - If you send me the dimensions, I'll measure the pieces.
As an alternative, some companies sell plastic sheet that looks pretty darn realistic. You may be able to buy it in smaller pieces.
Jeff

Hi Jeff,
I took some measurements today. The hatch opening is roughly about 30" long x 12" wide, and the existing sole thickness appears to be right around 1/2" thick (possibly just slightly under once measured more precisely).

The actual replacement section I need is fairly small, so if anyone happens to have an offcut or leftover piece from a previous cabin sole project, it might work perfectly.

Really appreciate all the help and information from everyone here.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Hi Jeff,
I took some measurements today. The hatch opening is roughly about 30" long x 12" wide, and the existing sole thickness appears to be right around 1/2" thick (possibly just slightly under once measured more precisely).

The actual replacement section I need is fairly small, so if anyone happens to have an offcut or leftover piece from a previous cabin sole project, it might work perfectly.

Really appreciate all the help and information from everyone here.

Alexis,
I'll check the piece I have to see if it will accommodate those dimensions.
J

 

[ALEXIS FERNANDEZ]

Thank you

 

[Christian Williams]

Jeff knows this but the piece has to be slightly oversize to allow lining up of the holly lines.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Thank you

Switching to DM, Alexis. Once I send, there will be a little red flag on the envelope icon in the upper right of the page.

On my panels I reused the teak trim that were on the original sole sections.