We have a leak in our 1998 280 that appears to follow the wires from inside the mast through the deck into the cabin. The water follows the mast support down and if we forget to wrap a towel around the pole it puddles on the floor or table. Caulking from inside doesn't seem to do the trick. Is the water coming in from the top of the mast? Having just bought the boat in May I haven't managed to get to the top of the mast yet, but it looks like I may have to. Anyone have any helpful hints? tia Kirk
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Drip loop
Kirk: There is nothing you can do at the top of the mast. What you need to do is make a drip loop in your wires before they go thru the deck. The loop should bring the wires down and then back up slightly before they go thru the deck hole. This way water will follow the wire down and drip off.
Kirk: There is nothing you can do at the top of the mast. What you need to do is make a drip loop in your wires before they go thru the deck. The loop should bring the wires down and then back up slightly before they go thru the deck hole. This way water will follow the wire down and drip off.
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Kirk Haverland
Thanks!
Thanks Steve! After reviewing the archives (after submitting my original question of course) and with your response, I have come to the conclusion that we probably have to step the mast and insure we have a drip loop and that everything else is properly sealed etc. Oh well, it only money...
Thanks Steve! After reviewing the archives (after submitting my original question of course) and with your response, I have come to the conclusion that we probably have to step the mast and insure we have a drip loop and that everything else is properly sealed etc. Oh well, it only money...
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Terry
HOW DO THE WIRES COME THROUGH...
the deck on your 280 Kirk? We had a similar problem on our P42. Rain fall will naturally flow down your mast and collect at the step. Ours has a drain hole in the step for rain water to run out, but the plastic tube used to conduit the wires through the deck had no working sealant. Check the archives for my article. In short we unstepped the mast and did the following to fix the leak: 1. Rebed the step. 2. Replaced plastic pipe through the deck with a longer piece (at least two inches above the deck) and rebed. 3. Made sure that the drain hole was clear. Good luck. Terry
the deck on your 280 Kirk? We had a similar problem on our P42. Rain fall will naturally flow down your mast and collect at the step. Ours has a drain hole in the step for rain water to run out, but the plastic tube used to conduit the wires through the deck had no working sealant. Check the archives for my article. In short we unstepped the mast and did the following to fix the leak: 1. Rebed the step. 2. Replaced plastic pipe through the deck with a longer piece (at least two inches above the deck) and rebed. 3. Made sure that the drain hole was clear. Good luck. Terry
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Kirk Haverland
Planning to Step the mast
Thanks Terry, After submitting my original question I found your previous article. I guess I cannot avoid having to step the mast. This time I'll make sure it is done the way you suggest! Kirk
Thanks Terry, After submitting my original question I found your previous article. I guess I cannot avoid having to step the mast. This time I'll make sure it is done the way you suggest! Kirk
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Terry
KIRK, YOU'RE WELCOME...
You might want to call Hunter Service with your question before you unstep the mast. There are differences between boats, and my situation was for the Passage 42. It would be sorrowful to have you go to all the trouble only to find it repairable without unstepping the mast. You can reach them at 800/771-5556 and ask for Greg or Eddy. Terry
You might want to call Hunter Service with your question before you unstep the mast. There are differences between boats, and my situation was for the Passage 42. It would be sorrowful to have you go to all the trouble only to find it repairable without unstepping the mast. You can reach them at 800/771-5556 and ask for Greg or Eddy. Terry
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Mike
Unstepping The Mast
Unstepping the mast is an easy job as along as you have the spiniker pole and the block and tackle that should have come with the boat, also you should have the cradle for the stern swim platform for the mast to rest in...if you have all this you can unstep you have these items you can unstep the mast in 20 min... e-mail me if you have any questions.. I own a h280 myself and unstep/step my own mast. Mike.
Unstepping the mast is an easy job as along as you have the spiniker pole and the block and tackle that should have come with the boat, also you should have the cradle for the stern swim platform for the mast to rest in...if you have all this you can unstep you have these items you can unstep the mast in 20 min... e-mail me if you have any questions.. I own a h280 myself and unstep/step my own mast. Mike.
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Kirk Haverland
I'm not quite that brave
Thanks Mike, You're braver than I am. We don't have a spinnaker or pole and I'm not quite sure about the swim platform cradle, so I don't believe we have the right tools anyhow. I never had any problems stepping the mast on our old MacGregor 26, but that is a completely different boat. The 280's mast is significantly longer. At this point I am willing to pay the marina for the use of their travellift, if for no other reason than to save a piece of mind. I would be interested in how you do it though. Thanks, Kirk kirk_haverland@hotmail.com
Thanks Mike, You're braver than I am. We don't have a spinnaker or pole and I'm not quite sure about the swim platform cradle, so I don't believe we have the right tools anyhow. I never had any problems stepping the mast on our old MacGregor 26, but that is a completely different boat. The 280's mast is significantly longer. At this point I am willing to pay the marina for the use of their travellift, if for no other reason than to save a piece of mind. I would be interested in how you do it though. Thanks, Kirk kirk_haverland@hotmail.com
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Terry
KIRK, CHECK WITH YOUR MARINA...
some have a small crane mounted next to the docks for use by commercial boats unload gear. Our marina will let you use the crane to unstep the mast rather than hauling the boat. Just a suggestion. Terry
some have a small crane mounted next to the docks for use by commercial boats unload gear. Our marina will let you use the crane to unstep the mast rather than hauling the boat. Just a suggestion. Terry
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Terry
KIRK, CHECK WITH YOUR MARINA...
some have a small crane mounted next to the docks for use by commercial boats unload gear. Our marina will let you use the crane to unstep the mast rather than hauling the boat. Just a suggestion. Terry
some have a small crane mounted next to the docks for use by commercial boats unload gear. Our marina will let you use the crane to unstep the mast rather than hauling the boat. Just a suggestion. Terry
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