Spartite Removal

[Fatbob]

While unstepping the mast on a boat I recently purchased, the mast was stuck due to improper grease (I think) on the Spartite installation. The Spartite had to be drilled out to unstep the mast. Two questions:

1. The collar of Spartite (with holes drilled through it) is still stuck to the mast. Anyone have experience removing the a collar of Spartite from a mast? Any hints/suggestions?

2. When I re-step the mast, I will need to install some sort of supports. I am thinking about just going with wedges. Any recommendations of commercially produced wedges or tips/tricks on making some?

[Sailmonkey]

I’ve seen these, never personally inserted one though

https://www.customrubbercorp.com/pro...er-mast-wedges

[Bill O]

Can also make a wedges out of a hard wood. Either way you will want a good rubber boot.

[Lowcountry]

I switched to a Spartite solution in my old Mason 44, which replaced a system of 10-12 small, wooden wedges that were thumb-sized.