O'Day 28, 1983....my mast is leaking, new boat to me so I have NO IDEA what the previous owner has done to the mast step area. The question is.....the mast is a keel stepped mast, can the plate on the deck be safely removed while the mast is up so I can take a peek at what is under the plate? The boot is in good condition but... it does NOT cover the plate completely, so perhaps that in it's self is the problem?! Either way, when it rains we get a leak on the inside of the boat at the mast area. This can NOT be good, I can only imagine that some of the rain slips between the inside/outside lining in the process. I have caulked the areas and have checked to see that there is caulking at the mast where the groove is. I am stumped so if I can look I might be able to direct the marina what to do during the winter, unless it is eay enough for me (my mast will be up for winter storage and taken down e/o or e/3 yr for inspection). Some suggested a toilet wax ring????????
Mast Leak-Deck Plate
- Thread starter vmaks
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Our 28 also gets water down the mast, but I haven't worried much about it. In our case, there is a rubber boot that goes around the mast above the step, diverting most of the water out over the deck plate. The water that makes it inside mostly just sneaks inside the boot (mostly down the sail tracks). Also, I believe (although I'm not sure) the deck is gelcoated all the way around where the mast goes through, so there is no exposed core for water to get at there.
My 28 was doing the same thing. The good part is that the partner is sealed so water won't get in. I don't have a boot on mine. I filled it with silicone and put mast tape on it. I have a canvas cover over that.
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