mast base...

[Rich (P303)]

I had a new mast base made up for my keel stepped mast out of 1/4" aluminum. General question... my previous base wore down to about half its thickness and was badly pitted... due to corrosion after 23 years. (sits in salt water every now and then).What should I paint base with to protect? Or... if I attached a zinc... would that help?Actually I just answered my own question... will I be sailing in 23 years?

 

[Ross]

Dip it in asphalt and let it dry. Drive way sealer would also work.

It won't prevent corrosion completely but it would slow it down. I hope you are older than I if you are sure you won't be sailing in 23 years.

 

[Rich (P303)]

Ross...

I looked at your Bio... did you see the year when you were born?I am younger than you! I like your attitude though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I can only hope.

 

[Ross]

Rich, I can and do put in 8-10 hour days repairing houses

and still have the energy to prepare meals when I get home. I cook, Nancy washes up and manages our business. I have 2 brothers older than I by 6 and 8 years and they both still work when they want to and 2 brothers younger all healthy and active. My two sisters one older by 4 years is active in civic affairs in NY and my baby sister 12 years younger home schools for her church and raises chickens for eggs and meat.

 

[rardiH36]

Does the Mast Base Rest in the Bilge?

Rich:You cited that the mast base sits in salt water now and then. Is it in the bilge well? If so, read on ....I have a compression post on my boat that rests on its bottom end in the last few forward inches of the bilge well. By the water mark in the bilge well, the set-up of bilge pumps by previous owners allowed a two-three inches of water in the bilge at all times. The bottom of the compression post I expect was often wet. When I bought the boat, I put in a small bilge pump at the very aft end of the bilge well that can bring the water level down to about 1/2" at the aft end. At the forward end of the well, I now have 0" at all times and the area is always bone dry. Keeping the area dry will go a long way to extending the life expectancy of your new mast base fitting.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Rich, around 2028 . . . .

start thinking about making the next mast step a little thicker. During that twenty year period you could dry the bilge every few years and spray on a nice aluminum paint. I have somewhat reduced the problem by installing a smaller bilge pump with a very short hose that empties into the shower sump. This keeps the bilge water at a much lower level than the 2000gph pump with the big float switch and long hose.I am wondering about the salt water though. My bilge has rain water that comes down the mast. I use dripless packing so I have no water from the stuffing box. What other sources of salt water do you have?

 

[Rich (P303)]

I don't know Ed...

I guess it is mostly fresh water with a little salt in there someplace. The bilge is usually dry... and I sponge it out when I can.I don't have a massive amount of water down there (1/2" tops)... that the pump will not tale care of.I was thinking I could use an aluminum self etching primer for starters.