Mast stepping

[Clay]

Hello, I'm new to sailing, please forgive my ignorance. I'm going to be stepping my mast some time this spring. My question is, is there a gasket or sleeve that should be between the aluminum mast tabernacle and the aluminum mast foot, or is it typical to grease the tabernacle prior to stepping, (dielectric grease)? My concern is that I have some sort of layer between the two, in order to prevent wear and or corrosion. ClayOday 27

 

[Clay]

Re mast stepping

Thank you all for your kind replies, much appreciated. I hope I can be as helpful in the future with any questions you might have.ClayOday 27

 

[tom23262]

Good Question

Clay, I have had my mast unstepped two times over the last four years. I have it unstepped everyother winter to do PM on it. When stepping the mast, my boat yard does not use any type of grease or gasket to step the mast. I stepping I use a commercial product to pour between the mast and the cabin top which hardens. This is to close off and prevent any leakage and that has worked well. It can be messing is the least bit is spilled. If anyone out there knows of a gasket or anything that Clay is asking about, it would be a big help.

 

[Capt.m]

Never heard of it

Clay,I never heard of anyone doing what you're suggesting. I sailed a Pearson 26 mast was deck stepped for over 10 years, no gasket no grease.You may want to place some corrosion inhibiter on your wire connections (anchor light, spreader light) but nothing else.Good Luck.