Leak From Mast?

[drummer3278]

Hello,

I purchased a Hunter 33.5 last summer, which my girlfriend and I are very pleased with.

A couple of weeks ago, I notice some discoloration on the lower part of the bulkhead near the head (pictures). I also noticed that the bilge that was dry before has standing fresh water in it.

Any suggestions on where the water could be coming from? It seems to be coming down the mast, but I'm not 100% sure.

There are no leaks in any of the nearby hoses, as there are no obvious signs anywhere above deck.







Thanks in advance.

 

[braol]

The only real answer for a mast base leak is to pull the mast, pull the step and seal the heck out of it. The good news is that it looks like your bolts are around the perimeter of your step. You might be able to loosen some shrouds/stays and maybe tilt your mast and loosen your bolts in order to get some sealant (3M 4200) under the step. Even if you had to pay for the crane, with enough pre-planning you could be all ready with your step pre-loosened, get the crane to lift your mast about two inches, loosen the step, glob in the sealant, and drop the mast right back down.

Do make sure that you have a drain hole at the base of the mast and that the bottom of the hole is FLUSH with the bottom, or else you risk getting a small amount of standing water in the base which can lead to corrosion.

Unfortunately, as a high-stress area of the deck, all masts will at some point spring a leak through the cabin top. Don't make the mistake of sealing it from the inside because the water will just find another path to the bilge...usually through even MORE of your wood-cored deck.

 

[drummer3278]

The only real answer for a mast base leak is to pull the mast, pull the step and seal the heck out of it. The good news is that it looks like your bolts are around the perimeter of your step. You might be able to loosen some shrouds/stays and maybe tilt your mast and loosen your bolts in order to get some sealant (3M 4200) under the step. Even if you had to pay for the crane, with enough pre-planning you could be all ready with your step pre-loosened, get the crane to lift your mast about two inches, loosen the step, glob in the sealant, and drop the mast right back down.

Do make sure that you have a drain hole at the base of the mast and that the bottom of the hole is FLUSH with the bottom, or else you risk getting a small amount of standing water in the base which can lead to corrosion.

Unfortunately, as a high-stress area of the deck, all masts will at some point spring a leak through the cabin top. Don't make the mistake of sealing it from the inside because the water will just find another path to the bilge...usually through even MORE of your wood-cored deck.

Thanks. I was afraid of that. Any sealant that you recommend?

 

[Bill Roosa]

Before you unstep the mast try cleaning out the weep holes in the tabernacle (mast base fitting). they are fore and aft and port ans starboard about a millimeter on a side and just as tall. The Tabernacle is cast with them in place so the deck forms the bottom of the weep hole.

 

[kappykaplan]

3m 4200