Water at mast base, through deck construction

[Pieter]

Originally Posted by daniellmason

I just reseated my mast on my Cherubini 37 after MUCH research. I finally chose to thoroughly remove all previous sealant. It was a mess and required a lot of scraping, picking, and cleaning. I then used butyl windshield tape, exterior flexible caulk, and spray "Flex-Seal." Of course, the mast boot covers all of the stuffing. I had a dependable leak before the repair and it is completely dry now. Good luck with your repair. Feel free to email if I can be of any assistance.

Thanks Daniel, yes the same problem here.. old Sicaflex layer upon layer...I guess that since the water will eventualy come down the inside of the mast.. the issue is not be able to drain it properly and lead it into the bilge.

[Pieter]

Originally Posted by neilpride

FP 40? well like other poster point the only way the water can found a path is through the mast step , dont be surprise to found small amounts of dry caulquing through the holes, also some deck steps masts have a slot path to drain the step and others dont, i make dozens of this slots with a dremel in new steps when they come from factory without nothing , so your best bet i guess is to unstep the mast, disconect the step and recaulk the whole thing,,, other cheaper option can be to recaulk the screw holes one by one but i dont recomend it since is very easy to get leaks in a short future,

Apologise for the confusion: on my own FP i dont have this issue .. it is regarding a monohull that was offered to me. Thanks

[Pieter]

Originally Posted by Franst8

I have the same on my Pearson where the water sits in the bilge and has caused some corrosion due to neglect by previous owner. I learned from Pearson forum is mast gets pulled and a new base is added to lift mast above bilge floor, 4 inches I think. It seems like this is a common problem of old Pearsons. Check the owners sites for solutions.

Ok.. thanks... Will have to work on a simple and efficient draining system.

[neilpride]

Oh ok, do you know what a inner plastic dam looks like,,, water in the bilge from the mast is a isue from the past this days ,,, the only problem is to install a inner dam you need to unstep the mast.. Cheers.

[Pieter]

Originally Posted by Sailorman Ed

Pieter - I have the same problem but the bolts holding the cast aluminum mast base were not sealed well and allowed water thru the fiberglass. To solve it, I had to remove the mast and after a lot of work, finally the mast base. My base had slot to drain the water but only where the mast section actually set. The center was open. You must be sure the material under the mast base is dry and them I would countersink the holes and apply a liberal layer of butyl caulk before reassembling. You MUST stop any water from coming thru.
Ed

Ok, thanks Ed, i wasnt planning on removing the mast.. I will first check the other alternatives.

[Pieter]

Originally Posted by neilpride

Oh ok, do you know what a inner plastic dam looks like,,, water in the bilge from the mast is a isue from the past this days ,,, the only problem is to install a inner dam you need to unstep the mast.. Cheers.

Thanks Neil... i have never seen the inner plastic dam... i will search for this on the net.

[Patrigo]

A deck stepped mast doesn't interest me, but in 2014 on this forum I started a bunch of raving nutters decrying a perfect solution to fitting a keel stepped mast, which cannot leak, is permanently part of down below and is easily removed. I have lived with my mast for twenty or so years and do not know what water down below, is!--- in any weather and conditions.