Water Leak at Base of Mast

[Curtis Dahlgren]

During heavy rains, water is seeping out from the base of the teak mast support onto the cabin floor. I believe the water is coming down from inside of the mast. There are not drain holes at the base of the mast allowing water to drain out from inside of the mast and onto the cabin top. Any suggestions on where to drill this hole and how large to drill this hole?Thanks, Curtis Dahlgren

 

[Gene]

Fix it right!

Sounds like your mast is deck stepped (mentioned mast compression post.) If so the question is not where to put a drain hole but you need to fix the deck seal. When a mast is deck stepped, all deck penetration under the mast must be sealed. This includes the screws or bolts holding the mast base down and all wiring penetrations. This is a major job because it requires the mast to be unstepped for repairs. But if not done the leak will cause major damage.

 

[Gene]

Water leak at base of mast II

We have the exact same problem on our '83 version of the Catalina 30. Our rigger suggested drilling a hole at the "bottom" of the mast to act as a drain hole. What I have been trying to figure out is how far up from the base of the mast do I drill the hole. He suggested that a hole 1/8" would suffice and that it would be about 1" up from the base. He also said I could drill one on each side of the mast. However, is there a mast step, or something that the mast rests on, and if so, how high is it? While I agree with the other Gene about the seriousness of the problem, I'm not prepared to go to the extent that he suggests probably due to lack of funds. I'm prepared to drill the hole but am looking to find out 1) is there a mast step and 2) how high is it? In my search, others have discussed the potential wood rot problem and the need to take care of the problem. Would like to know what you find out so I will monitor this site.

 

[Gerry @ GMJ Marine]

Water leak at base of mast additional info

The Catalina 30 has a compression post since the mast is deck stepped. I agree with Gene from Houston.Water intrusion at the cabin sole would have to be coming from deck holes at or around the mast step if they aren't coming from an inside source such as the bilge, shower drain,forward water tank or lines etc.. If you can rule out all inside sources then you have to look at the deck area. The big cost here is unstepping the rig and a haulout. Shop this around at different yards for the best price. The good news her is that if you can locate the problem, generally you can repair it yourself. If it turns out to be deck leaks that you can fix, then the cost spent to de-rig the boat will be short money compared to repairing all the potential problems water intrusion can create. If it is deck hardware leaking, generally, removal and cleaning of the hardware and holes, then re-bedding with a good amount of a quality sealant such as Sika-Flex etc.( you don't have to use 5200 for this)on the threads and in the holes should solve your problem. Clean up all excess when you have tightened all the hardware with a cleaning solvent such 3M Ahesive remover and cleaner. While drilling holes in the mast will help drain water, some will always remain only to leak in around the faulty hardware, which can lead to wet deck core, de-lamination and rotted interior wood. Good luck with your repairs, Gerry.

 

[John]

leakey mast

Your mast step is about 1" hight. There should be a small hole in the main sail track all the way at the bottom but the water should leak out around the bace of the mast anty way.There is a small pipe that stix out of the center of the mast step about 2" or - your mast wires go throw there water could be comeing in there. There is a 2by 8" hole on top of your mast water drips in,then falls down, hits the sides of the mast and drips down the sides to the bottom and out around the bace of the mast.Check for adrip loop on anty of the wires comeing out of the mast sides. Check your roof top for compression,Check your floor for compression, Check your mast step, it is wood and they rot,and the deck seal gets broken and then you have a mess. I am replaceing my mast step with fiber glass and epoxy , the wood is jest sitting in the bilge water .My mast was leaking underthe floor and we did not see the water . I have a mess. Call dave at Catalina 18188847700 He can send you pictures of all this. You can loosen your mast stays afew inches and lift the mast up and over thestep, place it on the side, and seal it back up good luck John O