Mast Step Leak - 1994 29.5

[jrkarner]

Just finished the third season with "Ventus", our 1994 Hunter 29.5. It has become apparent that we have a leak that has damaged the cabin sole and affected the finish on the saloon table. Boat has lines that lead to cockpit through blocks mounted on the mast step. This means that there are a lot of holes in the step to mount the blocks, and at least one in reserve, along with (as I recall) a rectangular hole in the aft part of the step. I have never unstepped the mast. Boat has been stored "mast up" in the winter. No doubt this is a common problem, but I have not been able to come up with the answer (so far) by searching old threads. Would like to (at least) do something temporary for the winter and execute a permanent fix in the spring.

 

[gmeyerga]

There will be water inside the mast! Water will get into the cabin
through the hole in the deck for the wires to the masthead lights.
Water will run down inside the cover of the compression post and get into the cabin sole via the hole for the wires in the sole.

The hole under the mast is cut into the plate underneath the mast. To get to it the mast will have to come off. I have repeatedly tried to seal this hole with 5200 but after each season it leaked again. I now have permanently plugged the hole with fiberglass and run the wires through a separate through-hull away from the compression post.

 

[jrkarner]

Very helpful. Thanks, gmeyerga! It looks like the leak previously destroyed the access covers from the interior to the mast step, which were removed by one of the three previous owners. Any chance that you have a photo of the wire routing fix (from the mast to the through-hull)? I'm also mentally picturing a possible fix involving "potting" the wire pass-through with silicone. Sort of like how your car wiring harnesses are routed through the firewall.