Mast Weep Holes

[ljcraigie]

I have the proverbial mast leaks with water streaming down the compression post. I imagine the mast weep holes are partially plugged because when it rains, there is a lot of muddy water at the foot of the mast. My problem is that I cannot locate the weep holes on my Hunter 280 to clean them out. Also I would like to know what the mast step looks like so I can drill a hole in the base.

Thanks,

Larry

 

[Bill Roosa]

If you look VERY CLOSELY at the tabernackel right at the deck level you should see little square openings (2x2 mm). These are the weep holes and there should be 4 of them, port, starboard fore and aft.They are 3 sided with 4th being the deck proper. Us a wire to clean. If you have mud coming out then you need to clean them till you get the bird nest out. Birds are really bad about making nests in the mast and it ending up at the mast base.

 

[Dan_Y]

Look at the photo I posted of the mast step for an isomat Ng-31 mast, which may be what you have.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=164312&#post1149801

You can see the drain holes inside the step next to the deck, then in the track the captures the mast. Photo doesn't show the external openings that Bill points out. The white PVC pipe used to be even with the top of the base structure that surrounds the pipe and with the drain holes plugged, water just drained into the cabin thru the compression post. Go to www.rigrite.com any look up isomat Ng-31spar parts for other views and sizes.