Visit our Popular Forums

FSmith · 22-06-2011, 16:27

Has anyone used spartite and if so would you recommend it?

**Pblais** · 22-06-2011, 16:31

It works. It's firm enough to hold water out and flexible enough to move. That's why it costs so much.

FSmith · 22-06-2011, 16:54

I didn't know it is flexible, though it was a two part epoxy type material

btrayfors · 22-06-2011, 17:05

Have had Spartite for over 10 years. Love it. No leaks. Mast has been out a few times, too.

Bill

imagine2frolic · 22-06-2011, 17:09

Good stuff

, but after I used it. I was told of another product for half the price. I forget the name..........i2f

Prerequisite · 22-06-2011, 18:05

I've heard good reviews of it, but I've also seen a couple boats who's masts wouldn't lift out because of improper Spartite installation. It's a major effort removing Spartite from a mast collar to free a stuck mast. Make sure the installation is done correctly and that the mast collar doesn't have any reduction in diameter at the top.

jstevens · 22-06-2011, 18:13

I think the major problem with removing a mast with a Spartite collar is due to the mast partners being of smaller diameter at the top that at the bottom. If the top of the partners is larger than the bottom, then the collar should come out easily. Spartite when cured is quite flexible, somewhat like a rubber collar. That said it is not a watertight seal, and it does degrade in UV sunlight. You will still need to provide a sealant (e.g., BoatLife) between the collar and the mast. Also a cover (e.g., Sunbrella) is necessary to protect the Spartite from the Sun.

John

**Pblais** · 22-06-2011, 18:18

Quote:

You will still need to provide a sealant (e.g., BoatLife) between the collar and the mast. Also a cover (e.g., Sunbrella) is necessary to protect the Spartite from the Sun.

I would agree with that 100%.

SimonV · 22-06-2011, 18:21

Spartite, does what it is suposed too. Great investment.

hellosailor · 22-06-2011, 18:40

IIRC Spartite is a high density urethane material, not an epoxy at all. It was available in two different grades, slightly different flex in them, nowhere near as rigid as epoxy would be.

The folks who have been unhappy with it generally didn't follow the instructions, as to forming up the dam under it, and applying a release coating to anything they didn't want it to stick to. The folks who RTFM all seem to love the way it does exactly what it is claimed to do.

lancelot9898 · 22-06-2011, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellosailor

IIRC Spartite is a high density urethane material, not an epoxy at all. It was available in two different grades, slightly different flex in them, nowhere near as rigid as epoxy would be.

.

What's wrong with using a high quality caulking at a fraction of the price? It seems to cure to a rigid enough consistency to provide support for the mast yet has the flexiblity too.

imagine2frolic · 23-06-2011, 05:04

The caulking will not hold the mast in place where the Spartite will. I used vaseline on my mast, so it would slip out later.........i2f

lancelot9898 · 23-06-2011, 05:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

The caulking will not hold the mast in place where the Spartite will. I used vaseline on my mast, so it would slip out later.........i2f

It seems like a fully cured bead of caulking has pretty good compression characterics thus preventing movement(fore and aft and sideways) of the mast passing through the deck. Plus the force is transmitted to the mast step located at the keel with minimal force on that deck.