Drill a hole ️ in my mast

[NYSail]

Hello all

Not a structural engineer, so thought I would ask. So my deck stepped mast has a weep hole at deck level, however minimal water comes out as it gets blocked with growth. have rheemed it but still the mast holds water. Would it be a structural issue if I drilled a small weep whole into the mast to assist with drainage?

Personally I think it’s a non issue but want to ask the brains.

Thanks
Greg

 

[higgs]

Most of us don't hesitate to drill a small hole in our mast to install hardware. What is the difference?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Watch out for wires when drilling. Using a stop collar on your bit is a good way to prevent the bit from suddenly bursting through and hitting something you want to leave in tact. put tape on the spot you plan to drill to prevent scratches

 

[Tally Ho]

I drilled 8 or so holes in my mast to install a Seldon Boom Kicker….small holes with 1/4 -20 screws threaded in, but a lot of them.

A small-ish hole should be an issue.

Greg

 

[shemandr]

I'm hardly an engineer. But I don't understand how a second small hole will help. It seems to me enlarging the existing hole would serve you better. Unless the first weep hole is in a location that impedes drainage.
Standing water at the mast step is an invitation for core wetness. So I applaud your effort to solve this.
Other steps to take could be re-sealing the mast step - ideally with lining the holes with epoxy. You can also install a conduit for the mast wires, within the mast step footprint, which stands proud of the deck to discourage water ingress.

 

[kappykaplan]

A small-ish hole should be an issue.

Not?

 

[sailme88]

Were it my boat I'd unstep the mast and note the wire locations as well as internal step collars. Not all collars are a solid ring. If you have gaps in the ring, that would be the best location to add a weeping hole.

 

[DanMaine]

My 2 cents: A small hole won't hurt the strength of the mast (I am a structural engineer). water there will, especially if it freezes or gets into other parts. Can you insert a wire to clear the existing hole perhaps? 'Best to figure out why it's clogging.

 

[jssailem]

Were it my boat I'd unstep the mast and note the wire locations as well as internal step collars. Not all collars are a solid ring. If you have gaps in the ring, that would be the best location to add a weeping hole.

when I had my mast down I enlarged the weep hole to align with the channels on the step base.
Here is what my step looks like after being powder coated, and reinstalled using 4000 caulk which nicely oozed out the sides

 

[Tally Ho]

Not?

Right… Sorry. Should NOT be a problem.

 

[Rick Webb]

Inserting a cotton string would help wick the water out. A four-inch piece about two inches in then left to wick and dry out would keep the mast dry.

For the hole to really drain it would need to be at least 1/4" in diameter. Surface tension and gunk will keep it from fully draining.

 

[NYSail]

Thanks all….. so where the current weep holes are, mast blocks mostly block clear access. I have tried rheeming the hole but it is tiny. Am going to put a small hole in just above the deck with clear access to clean. The mast has two internal sections…… the wires are seperate and that section has an access plate on the side so no issue. However the section that houses my main roller furling is the issue. No worries about leaking into the deck as it is sold fiberglass under the mast step but I do worry about freezing.

again thanks! Felt it would not be an issue but just wanted reassurance.

 

[sailme88]

Thanks all….. so where the current weep holes are, mast blocks mostly block clear access. I have tried rheeming the hole but it is tiny. Am going to put a small hole in just above the deck with clear access to clean. The mast has two internal sections…… the wires are seperate and that section has an access plate on the side so no issue. However the section that houses my main roller furling is the issue. No worries about leaking into the deck as it is sold fiberglass under the mast step but I do worry about freezing.

again thanks! Felt it would not be an issue but just wanted reassurance.

Freezing is ALWAYS a potential problem in a cold environment. The only sure way to prevent an ice issue is to unstep. Driven rain will make it's way in through the apertures on the mast...