Mast/deck seal

[SVImpunity]

During some rainy weather, I noted a small amount of water running down the keel stepped mast of my Bristol. When the mast was installed shortly before I bought the boat, the installer has used a putty that remains pliable & covered the outer mast & plate with a type of tape about 4" wide & seems to be slighty elastic. I'd like to replace the tape but can't seem to find any here in the NW. Anybody have a clue as to what I should be looking for? I think the water found its way down a fine groove that is in the side of the mast & past the putty.

John Lake

[Sabreman]

It's West Marine Mast Boot Tape West # 442939 ($29.99).
West Marine: Mast Boot Tape Product Display

I bought it last year and had a devil of a time getting it wrapped neatly. I ripped it off this year and installed a flexible universal collar. Great product and very neat.

[SVImpunity]

Thanks for the info...since I posted I've been speaking to a rigger locally who is coming to check the rigging this week & we discussed the various ways of sealing. The mast was installed with Spar-Tite which should have prevented leaks....but there you go..you never know do you?

[pegasus1457]

Originally Posted by SVImpunity

Thanks for the info...since I posted I've been speaking to a rigger locally who is coming to check the rigging this week & we discussed the various ways of sealing. The mast was installed with Spar-Tite which should have prevented leaks....but there you go..you never know do you?

So far as I understand, Spar-Tite is not meant to seal the mast-deck joint. It is there to position your mast correctly in the hole in the deck.

I second the opinion of the other poster re the mast tape - a waste of $$.
I am waiting for the mast to come down so I can install a boot.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by pegasus1457

I am waiting for the mast to come down so I can install a boot.

There is no reason that you have to wait until the mast is removed to install a waterproof and attractive mast boot.

Have you considered using a piece of stout canvas, which can be sewn, painted and waterproofed quite easily? I'm sure any good sailmaker or canvas guy could whip one out for you in a trice.

Even if you wanted to take the easy way out there is still the option of using a Universal mast boot.

Mast Boots

I have always found these plastic boots to be much more unwieldy than fabric ones. But they do include the glue.

[MyBoatWorks]

Sabreman & Knothead - I've had good results with both but remember a fantasy of using licorice & chocolate last time I Jury-Rigged that leak... But that may be because the food wasn't the best on that trip.

[NoahsArk73]

The best tape for sealing I have found is "rescue tape" originally designed for aircraft. The first time I saw it was about 10 years ago at the Reno Air Races. The tape adheres only to itself and stretches and holds quite well: wet, uv, cold, or hot (originally designed for quick patching hoses). The stuff wears out in about 2-3 years depending on the application, but considering its universal properties, worth it. Now you can find the stuff at hardware stores different: lengths, widths, and colors for under 10 bucks, a fraction of what I spent first time at Reno. I keep it in my truck, boat, house, workshop anywhere I store duct tape.

[CharlieCobra]

Oh Joy had the mast box and mast base wrapped with shrink wrap (the thick white variety) and covered with a nice canvas boot. Never leaked, even with green water washing over it.

[T37SOLARE]

So far as I understand, Spar-Tite is not meant to seal the mast-deck joint. It is there to position your mast correctly in the hole in the deck.

Spartite eliminated 99% of the water entering the boat from the mast, now the only water from the stick is what gets blown into the sheaves & other openings in the mast, and that's minimal.

Same experience from my brothers boat, and he's pulled the mast several times and it's still dry as a bone.


Spartite website

The Spartite ring shrinks less than one thousandths of an inch and when installed properly will radically reduce or eliminate leaking at the partners.

[whigmaleerie]

speak to your local sailmaker (im a sailmaker) it is very easy to make a collor to fit around the mast with it in place, collor can be hand stitched in place and a bit of sealant and a jubily clip around the top will sort out any leaks, no need for fancy taps etc