Mast Boot

[Tortuga's Lie]

Has anyone used the self-sealing mast tape instead of the traditional mast boots? I need to replace my old vinyl boot and this tape may be a viable option and maybe easier to work with??
There seems to be a couple of manufacturers of it. It's 4" wide and sticks to itself forming a waterproof seal.
Thanks for your feedback.
Tom

[Stumble]

It works, but not as well as a real mast boot. It's more of a stop gap until you can get a real one installed than a permenent solution.

[forsailbyowner]

I make mast boots out of weblon. Mine has been in service for 6 yrs and doesn't leak. Procedure is as follows: pattern your vinyl in place lapping the ends an inch or so. Cut to fit, use a vinyl cement like hh66 to bond flap so its one piece and wraps the mast tightly. After dried roll the vinyl down the mast and put a good caulk bead around then roll it back up and run your finger around to spread the caulk and push the excess up and clean well. Then I wrap the top and bottom with a heavy uv resistant thread. Looks bristol and costs just a few bucks. On masts with inside slugs the groove must be filled above the level of the boot then smoothed so it angles down so water doesn't pool there.

[Caribsailors]

Forsail...could you post a pic if possible?

Cheers

[forsailbyowner]

Would be glad send a pic. Don't know how to post pics with my blackberry but can email you one from phone in morning if you pm me an address.

[Caribsailors]

OK now I need to figure out how to pm...LOL

[PlumBob]

FSBO....

See PM... Would like to see a pix too.

Thanks

[Tortuga's Lie]

Thanks All,
I installed the old vinyl one at least a decade ago, so I am familiar with the process, but was real curious about this self-sealing tape and I also wonder how well it would do if I applied it overtop of the existing boot which would lend it some support as you wrap it.
FSBO, I am going to Google that Weblon material you mentioned.

Stumble, Thanks for your feedback on the tape as well.

[Blue Stocking]

For anyone faced with this mast boot query, Hervey Garrett Smith's book, The Marlinspike Sailor, has details and drawings of how to make a tapered one.

[sabray]

I use roofers self sealing flashing. 4" tape is way to small. The roofing stuff is available in 12" . For a waterproof seal nothing is better. Mine has been on for at least five years no issue. This should have a 20 year life to match the roofing warranty. Better is the price. I have asked roofers if they have any and they cut a piece off and give me some.

[thaisail]

I am getting ready to put my mast back up and I would really like to see a photo of your mast boot. Please can you post a photo? I have tried to google "roofers self sealing flashing and I am not getting very good results. I think the problem for me is that I am in Thailand and I don't know if they have the same roofing solutions as the US or Europe.

[Tortuga's Lie]

Sabray,
Are you referring to the white, vinyl coated flashing that has a sticky black surface on the inside? I have used this on construction projects, but never thought of it for a mast boot. I wonder if it would leave a black sticky mess when you remove it?

[lancelot9898]

I recently replaced my leaking mast boot with the self sealing tape and it still leaks. However the tape that I used was more than 10 years old and that may be the problem even though the package was never opened until now. I was going to get a new one and give it another try, but maybe there is a better solution.

[lancelot9898]

Also I do have a mast with internal slugs and I do fill it with caulking. That caulking is old and maybe some new is called for. Cleaning the old out of that groove may be the problem.

[sabray]

Originally Posted by Tortuga's Lie

Sabray,
Are you referring to the white, vinyl coated flashing that has a sticky black surface on the inside? I have used this on construction projects, but never thought of it for a mast boot. I wonder if it would leave a black sticky mess when you remove it?

It is a thick rubber with self bonding adhesive. Comes in white and black. Stretches so you can pull it tight. Wish i could remember its proper name. Very common in roofing applications especially on rubber roofs. Hope that helps.