Leaking mast step
Posted by Kevin Smith on June 02, 19100 at 09:09:29:
In the spring, I stepped Phenix's mast. It now leaks water into the salon down
the inside of the steel pole under the mast (supporting the salon table) when it
rains. This is very irritating. How much water? A good hard rain for a few hours
will fill a cake pan that I place under the pole
By systematically pouring water at different points, I have narrowed down the
source of the water from the leak to:[/i]
1. water running down the inside of the mainsail track
and
2. water inside the mast (like from the points where the halyards come out)
One guess is that the water has nowhere else to go because the normal drainage
hole for this water is somehow blocked. I put a wire into this hole and tried to
clear out any blockage, but it didn't seem to help
When I stepped the mast, is there things I should have done to properly seal
against this?
I am hesitant to put silicon sealant in the bottom of the mainsail track, as I
am afraid of clogging somthing and making it worse
What advice does anyone have for me?
- Kevin Smith
s/v Phenix, PDQ32, hull #7
Chicago
PS I suppose I can go to a crane and unstep the mast off, to see what is
happening, but I want to avoid this if possible.
Follow Ups:
Re: Leaking mast step Mark Chamberlain 18:24:33 6/04/100 (1)
Re: Leaking mast step Kevin Smith 09:08:18 6/05/100 (0)
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Re: Leaking mast step
Posted by Mark Chamberlain on June 04, 19100 at 18:24:33:
In Reply to: Leaking mast step posted by Kevin Smith on June 02, 19100 at
09:09:29:
I had a small problem with mine after 4 seasons. When the mast was stepped, I
cleaned out the silicone sealing the wires at the center base of the mast
Took all the old out and rebedded with new silicone. That solved the problem
Unfortunately, the mast has to be off to do it.
Follow Ups:
Re: Leaking mast step Kevin Smith 09:08:18 6/05/100 (0)
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Re: Leaking mast step
Posted by Kevin Smith on June 05, 19100 at 09:08:18:
In Reply to: Re: Leaking mast step posted by Mark Chamberlain on June 04, 19100
at 18:24:33:
Mark, thanks for the note
I am afraid that this is what I may need to do. I am in touch with Rory at PDQ
to see if he has other ideas
I can go back to the crane here in Chicago and have the mast lifted off a foot
or so, so that I can do this. I shouldn't even have to take the forestay off
I think I better get this solved now. I'm afraid that any water build up inside
the base of the mast is not good
I plan to store Phenix mast up this winter (maybe up by you in Racine)
- Kevin