J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment whats a good way to stop mast leaking water inside

Hi
Whats a good way to stop water coming down the mast ( inside ). I have a whitish plastic boot, which didnt fit all too well anyhow, and the morons in the marina, where they set my mast put too much pressure on one side and made a little slit into it.

I have used ample ducktape around the mast, but to no avail. still rains inside...lol.

I do not want to take the mast out, as that is too expensive to do. just need a good trick to seal it off.

Thanks Thorsten

Do the best you can, but don't fight it. The rain can come from various ports in the mast. Use a dehumidifier and pump the beilge after every rain.

I agree. Water will come down the mast. I drilled a small limber hole aft of the mast butt. It allows water to drain down into the bilge. Every once in a while, stick a fid or small phillips screwdriver into the limber hole to keep it clear. And, of course, make sure you pump the bilge!

Bob Rude #352 "Mmmmm"

Little trick from the previous owner of #311:

a dab of silicone in the mast track to block the water coming down it thru the boot.

I still get a wee bit inside, presumably from the exit boxes, etc

Thanks for the tips
so far I have the hole to the bilge, the silicon dab in the mast track.

Gonna have to try out a couple more ideas to seal it better from the outside.

Thanks Thorsten

I am going to try using some expanding foam - the kind that comes in a spray can. I am going to first cut a piece of plastic - maybe from a milk jug to fit around the mast at the cieling (just to keep the foam from falling out before it cures. I then think I will spray the mast and the opening with some silicone spray or maybe some PAM cooking spray to keep the foam from actually sticking to the mast and the fiberglass. I will them spray the foam into the opening around the mast. it will expand into the opening and then harden in a day or to into a solid styrofoam like substance. If it expamnds above the level of the deck It can be trimmed after it hardens. I will then slide the mast boot down the mast to protect the foam from UV which I believe will deteriorate it over time. When I want to pull the mast - I will just have to cut the foam around the mast and pull the mast up. I can then remove the remaining foam.

I would not recommend using foam to seal the mast. You will be inviting trapped moisture which will breed corrosion. I have not tried it, but Spartite creates a solid plug that is removable with the mast if done correctly.

Spartite

I have a spartite mast that does ok for the partners joint . each time I restep the mast I run a bead of sealant at the top of the joint. I can cut this bead when it is time to come out. I have the rubber boot which is available I think at rig right. These still do nothing to stop the water coming in through the exit blocks which can be considerable.

after reading these replies this year I placed a piece of white rigging tape over the large holes in the exit blocks and where the shroud attaches. I then applied some white silicone over the tape to keep it from peeling off. At the deck joint the spartite was covered with the boot and alumiunum flashing piece that the boot ataches to. The luff groove was already filled with silicone. The next evening there was a two inch rain. Of course I was not there to see but the next day there was a puddle of water just aft of the mast in the cabin floor. Perhaps i slowed it down some?
clint