Water leaking down mast

[jsalley]

Anyone had a problem with rainwater running down the inside of the mast, and finding its way down the compression post and into the bilge? I've had this problem for the three seasons I've owned my boat, and have not been able to figure out where exactly the water is coming in or how to stop it. I'm having the mast unstepped when the boat gets hauled next week, and hope to be able to locate the leak. I'll post a fix (hopefully with pictures) when I find it.

 

[GKuffner]

John,

It is possible that the water running down the inside of your mast is making its way into the conduit that contains the mast electrical wires. When they were commissioning my boat they unstepped the mast for delivery. The technician who was working on my boat noticed a fairly large opening in the conduit where the wires protruded. He filled it in with a large gob of silicon caulk. It would be easy to remove the silicone caulk if you had to do any electronic work there. I've never had a water leak problem. Have a look at that spot when you unstep you mast.

Gary
Glory Days C309 #136

 

[jsalley]

Gary --

That's where I'm guessing it's coming from, too. I tried squirting some expanding foam insulation into the conduit, but it didn't help. Hopefully it's something simple (read - not expensive), as the cost to unstep and restep the mast is pretty steep here.