Mast Leaks

[svtradition]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone else has the problems I have with their
mast leaking into the cabin through the wiring hole in the mast
step. I've tried sealing holes on the outside of the mast, but to
no avail. The mast leaks both with rainwater and when taking a big
wave over the bow, so I suspect that water is geting inside the mast
in the mast's lower half.

I'm seriously thinking about bringing the wiring out of the mast
above the deck and through a seperate hole into the cabin. Then I
could seal off the hole in the mast step. I saw a 40 foot Joshua in
the Bahamas that had this setup on their deck stepped mizzen. Their
wiring entered through a Stainless pipe that had an upside down U to
keep the water out.

Chris
V1066 "Tradition"

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Chris

The holes on each side of the mast at teh bottom must not be blocked as these are drainage holes. You cannot stop water coming down the mast but if you ensure the drainage holes are clear then you sshould not get a problem. If you block the hole in thebottom of the mast then you will lose the draft capabilities that teh mast gives you to ensure fresh air at all times and no mould.. The Series III have this blocked and quite a few Vegas now have the cables coming out of teh mast and then through the coachroof either through a gland or swan-neck

Hope this helpsSteve Birch Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[bbach1949]

Hello: I found a way to permanently fix this about 6 years ago. The
solution is to make an insert for the mast step collar that forms a drip loop out of
the mast wires. I used a short section (4")of pvc pipe that just fits in the
hole in the mast step. Over this piece I pop-riveted a rubber plumbing pipe
cap turned inside out. It's hard to describe, but the result looks and acts a
little like an electrical service entrance head for a house. It looks a lot
like a cap for a woodstove - crossed with Sherlock Holmes's hat. The wires loop
below the rim of the mast step, up into the rubber cap, and down into the
hole. The rubber cap overlaps the rim of the mast step. Water coming down the
mast or the wires is diverted to the side by the rubber cap. You still need to
keep the weep holes clear.

This jury rigged thing has surprised me by working perfectly here in the
Pacific Northwest winters. Lots of condensation and rain. There is still good
airflow up the mast as the inverted holes in the pipe cap are not tight to the
wires.

I'd take a picture if the mast was unstepped. Bill Bach, V 1071
Calimera

 

[imbissfrank]

After years of water leaking and causing damage to the wood veneer, I finally solved the problem by taking a one liter coke bottle and cutting off the lower half. Run all of the wiring down the spout, then seal around the spout and wiring with silicone. When dry, simply run the wiring down the opening on deck and place the cut off end of the bottle over the flange. This probably interferes with Per Brohalls ventilation system (which I never found to be particularly effective at any rate), but not a single drop of water has found its way down below. Cost?? Negligible, and no additional holes need to be drilled through the deck.

svtradition svtradition@... wrote:
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone else has the problems I have with their
mast leaking into the cabin through the wiring hole in the mast
step. I've tried sealing holes on the outside of the mast, but to
no avail. The mast leaks both with rainwater and when taking a big
wave over the bow, so I suspect that water is geting inside the mast
in the mast's lower half.

I'm seriously thinking about bringing the wiring out of the mast
above the deck and through a seperate hole into the cabin. Then I
could seal off the hole in the mast step. I saw a 40 foot Joshua in
the Bahamas that had this setup on their deck stepped mizzen. Their
wiring entered through a Stainless pipe that had an upside down U to
keep the water out.

Chris
V1066 "Tradition"

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[pjacobs55]

One of our European members said over there many boats have the wiring exit
the mast near the deck, with the wires then passing through the deck via a
watertight compression fitting.Nicholas Walsh
Nicholas H. Walsh P.A.
111 Commercial Street
Portland Maine 04101
Tel. 207/772-2191
fax 207/774-3940

This email was sent from the law firm of Nicholas H. Walsh P.A. It may
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notify us as soon as possible. Thank you.

 

[papasbackhoeinc]

Dear Nico,

I can confirm that many European Vega sailors have the wiring exit near the
deck.
The mast opening has been closed with a plate. I have this arrangement
since 3 years and there is no more leakage during the frequent rains we
have in Holland.
Vega claimed at the time that the mast works as a kind of airco. We have
dispensed with that.

My wife did not like sleeping in a berth which got wet all the time when
there were showers during the night.

Now the boat is completely dry.
Happy sailing ,

Henk Jansen
V 1782 Naarden (Neth.)