Mast Seal

[Steve C.]

I have a leak where the mast enters the deck on my 1980 Cat. 30. During heavy rains, water leaks down the inside of my compression post and out onto the cabin floor at the base. A friend recommended applying a seal around the base of the mast where it enters the the cabin roof. Is this the correct remedy? Is this a common problem and how can I determine if there is any structural damage.All advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Keith]

mast leak

On previous boat, a Catalina 30, the mast was deck stepped. When there was alot of rain, rain would come down the inside of the mast through all of the openings where the halyards exited and entered. The water would pool in the base of the mast till it got deep enough to enter the pipe where the wires went through the deck and down the compression post. I drilled a small hole in the sides of the mast just at the mast step which allowed the water to excape. No more problems after that. If your boat is a keel stepped mast then it would be a different matter.

 

[Ron]

Mast boot?

I made a mast boot out of sunbrella fabric that matches the boat.It has a tight shockcord around the top and snaps on the base to hold it down. The back has a row of snaps to close it. The base of my mast is open so that any water coming from inside the mast can escape under the boot. Most of my water seems to run down the sides and this helps shed it away from the mast step. Not to mention any boarding seas from sailing closehauled in weather. I have a tabernacle that is not the prettiest base, for the mast, but after installing the boot it looks great! It also hides all the wires from the instuments and VHF antenna coming out the mast. I have had a few comments about it at the docks. Cost about $10.Photo on website. Food for thought...

 

[Steve]

Web Address

Ron, I like your idea, I think it might just do the trick! What is the web address where that photo is located.ThanksSteve

 

[Ron]

Mast Boot Photo location.

It is in the photo forum of this site. Under Catalina 30EncoreYou should find it in the photo'sI can e-mail it to you if you cannot find it.