Mast boots for classic boats

[Roach1948]

What do other Classic boat users use as a waterproof mast boot for a keel stepped mast? I used to have this canvas thing that looked pretty grubby and attached via a large jubilee at the top and a draw cord at the base (at the base of the mast hole there is a rebated wooden upstand). I have asked my Mum to sew me up a replacement canvas boot, but it does not fit correctly as it creases under the clip and will let runs down into the cabin. I can see that it will be hard to sew something that fits exactly.

I would like something classic looking, waterproof, and preferably white to offset the brightwork. Any ideas?

 

[Mirelle]

A tip from Robertsons\' Boatyard

This works very well.

Take an old tractor inner tube, some Avon dinghy repair cement and a sharp Stanley knife.

Cut the inner tube to shape and glue it up - as you certainly know, it should be fitted so that the lashing round the mast is invisible as the boot folds down over it. Fill the gap with mastic

If you don't already have a substantial upstand on the deck to last the mast coat to, make one - laminate from several layers of teak, iroko, what have you..

Fold mast coat over this and lash it.

Paint with deck paint to taste.

Very much more durable than painted canvas efforts. Having had to replace a mast step (don't do this if you can help it!) I have strong views on the water tightness of mast coats

 

[Roach1948]

Re: A tip from Robertsons\' Boatyard

Sounds a great idea for waterproofness but the easthetics seem somewhat challenged - I never knew deck paint stuck to rubber?

 

[old_salt]

Depending on the size you could get a boiler flue out-let gaiter it has all the shape you need to bind a lashing around the top fold it back over and then lash round a deck up stand. You would need to put it on an un-stepped mast as it would not survive well if cutting and gluing.
They come in sizes 4", 6", and 8" and are usually gray.
A traditional out look is achieved by topping it with a canvas boot using the rubber gaiter to make a water proof mast.
I have not used this yet in practise but have done the test bit on a rig of scrap bits and it survived 2 years out side then we dismantled it and disposed of the bits so I can not post a photo unfortunately.

 

[Roach1948]

Thanks for the suggestion. My mast is 4 1/2" diameter but slightly eliptical. Would this flu gater stretch? Might be the thing as my mast is not stepped and it avoids glueing an inner tube. I presume this is a standard DIY shop stocked item?

 

[Peterduck]

the mast coat that I made for 'Swallow' is white canvas, but an acrylic canvas, which survives the weather much better than a cotton canvas. I sewed up the side most of the way before fittin it upside-down and inside-out onto the mast. I then hand-sewed the last bit at the top to get it water-tight before lashing the top to the mast tightly. Once the mast was stepped, I could pull the coat down over the lashing and lash it tightly around the deck surroundin upstand. Yes, it gets to look grimy, and then I give it a scrub with detergent which gets most of that off. I have repainted it once, I think it was with white acrylic house paint.
The joint between mast coat and mast at the top was sealed by melting beeswax into the joint.
Peter.

 

[Roach1948]

I like the beeswax idea! Much better than Mastic. Thanks.

 

[old_salt]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the suggestion. My mast is 4 1/2" diameter but slightly eliptical. Would this flu gater stretch? Might be the thing as my mast is not stepped and it avoids glueing an inner tube. I presume this is a standard DIY shop stocked item?

[/ QUOTE ]
These are available at most boiler / Plumbers wholesalers and the spares section at "Plumb Centres". The one for a 4" or 5" flue outlet should do the trick.They are stocked as a spare and come with a screw clip for conventional flues should still be available for the older boilers. May need ordering if not on the shelf.
I hope this helps.

 

[Kristal]

Aesthetics

I'm sick of aesthetics. I've been sanding the coamings for almost a week and they still look shite. Therefore, an inner tube will be my option come Spring and it will stay black. There is going to be a bit more black on my boat in the coming years.

/<

 

[Roach1948]

Re: Aesthetics

hahaha! Believe me - been there and done that!

Rubber of some sort it will be, but luckily I still have the ill fitting canvas boot which I will pop over to disguise the rubber. I'm sorry there is no aesthetic cover up for brightwork!

 

[Roach1948]

Re: Aesthetics

I would just like to say thanks for all your suggestions.

In the end I did not go for your solution old_salt, because I came up with an unexpected angle. I saw a neopreane collar for a dry suit for sale on e-bay. I bought it and guess what - it fit after enlarging the hole a little with a stanley knife. No glueing, and it really does the trick as if its made for the mast. I now know why they are called mast collars!