Mast boot suggestion

There was mention of it in a thread about a year ago on the subject of mast boots, can't recall the opinion but yours seems pricier than I recall?
 
I made one with the PVC fabric used for 'curtain side' lorries and the PVC inflatable boat glue once.
Closed cell neoprene tape around the mast and the rim of the deck moulding, stainless jubilee clips.
I expect Hypalon would last longer, but mine was OK 5 years on.
I wondered about a covering to keep the sun off, but never got around to it.
 
Duncan's sell a 3m. x 100mm. bandage version for about 1/4 price of that, needs a bit more care to keep it tidy when applying but would do the job. I presume the Selden hypalon boots are silly money if you are considering this option?
 
What about a child’s neoprene wetsuit? You get at least two boots that will fit, and possibly more. I made my own from a piece of neoprene and some contact adhesive. Flexible, easy to fit (although with a keel stepped mast you have to have it out!) and has never leaked.
 
I don't have a keel-stepped mast, but instead of cutting up wetsuits, why not just get a cheap piece of sheet neoprene off ebay, some matching glue, wrap a slice of it around the mast, glue it together and clamp it on with two of those big jubilee clips (they'll probably be the most expensive part of the thing, but they can be re-used). That's exactly how Jefa makes their rudder gaiters, and they work well.

Or you can pour some "Magic Power Gel" or similar two-part potting gel (from the Sparky trade) to seal it up.
 
As I got the suggestion on here somewhere originally, I'll mention it again:
I got an old inner tube from a car tyre place, for the grand total of £free. I cut a slice, slid it onto the mast while it was out, and rolled it over the deck fitting once the mast was re stepped.
It was a tight fit and needed quite a lot of fairy liquid to let me slide it onto the mast, if doing this again I'd ask for a bigger diameter inner tube, but it did fit and looks very neat.
 
Red Panda said:
As I got the suggestion on here somewhere originally, I'll mention it again:
I got an old inner tube from a car tyre place, for the grand total of £free. I cut a slice, slid it onto the mast while it was out, and rolled it over the deck fitting once the mast was re stepped.
It was a tight fit and needed quite a lot of fairy liquid to let me slide it onto the mast, if doing this again I'd ask for a bigger diameter inner tube, but it did fit and looks very neat.
Click to expand...

I think that's what my old boat had when I got it. Rubber can have a short life in sunlight and makes black marks on anything that touches it.
It's also vulnerable to crew's feet when things go a bit Pete Tong.
A canvas cover over the rubber seal might be an idea?
 
Lightwave395 said:
It's been a bad summer timewise - it's still in the box !
Click to expand...

I know what that's like. Thanks.

We've got a leaky mast after the yard 'renewed' the old gaiter that was dribbling, charged £600 to have the mast stepped and re-stepped (did some other work too) now its worse than ever. They're going to take another look at it, but I'm also thinking about DIY solutions.

Including these:
https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-a-sailboat-mast-boot-2915346
http://www.duncanyacht.co.uk/085071-Rubbaweld-Mast-Boot-Tape-Black-100mm-x-3-Metre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTakwY3JcY8 - Spartite installation video
http://www.seldenmast.com/files/1380900777/595-814-E.pdf
 
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