Thanks for the response! I have researched the compression/crack problem on this site! I knew about the problem before purchasing the boat, as it is written up in a Practical Sailor review!
I have seen the drawing and method of jacking up the deck and inserting a 1/4 inch thick plate above the offset post on the right side of the port bulkhead.
I think the previous owner of my E32 took a different route - there is a 2 1/2 inch thick by 3 inch wide arched mahogany support screwed into the headliner. This support spans the distance between the port post and the smaller post on the starboard bulkhead. The support is screwed into the headliner and whatever is above it with twelve 2 1/2 in. ss screws.
Having said all that, is there a possibility that this arrangement is "original"? I was thinking that this was an attempt by previous owner to beef up the mast step support. The diagrams/drawings I found on this site don't show the arched support that is in my boat!
The arched support may be doing the job (I haven't had the mast stepped/rigged since purchase in August), but since I have removed all the wood, including the arched support, I have been wondering whether I should modify this arrangment before I replace all the trim.
This is why I am trying to find out what is supporting the mast step area.... is it the laminated beam shown in the drawing dated 1974, or some other arrangement? My friend, a boat builder, who is helping me with the chainplate/bulkead repair, asked me to try and find out exactly what is in the space in question, so he can advise if anything additional should be done!
Sorry this is so long, but I guess I needed to explain where my question came from! It was the articles in this site on the chainplate/bulkhead repair that convinced me that I could do this work, and not pay a contractor's estimate of over $7500!
Again, thanks for the response, and any other advice/assistance anyone may offer!
Happy New Year! John B.