Mast leak and rattle

[simon_w]

Hello, I'm new to owning a boat and am wondering if I can get some advice.

I've a keel-stepped mast and a leak from somewhere around the lower section of the 2-part mast plate assembly above the deck. I'm going to try and narrow down the source of the leak by making some dams of plumber's mait around each fitting. Is creeping crack cure any good for this sort of thing? Is it possible to re-do the seals properly without removing the mast?

Second thing is that I have a problem with halyards slapping inside the mast, which is bendy. I have tightened the rig up which I think has had some benefit but has not cured it. I've tried pulling the backstay, not much help. I know that the mast is able to move fore and aft at the position of the spreaders fairly easily as I've been up there and wiggled it to reproduce the slapping. I can't think of a simple way to damp the resonance but I do wonder if I could raise a bottle part-filled with water up a lower shroud.

Any tips on these two would be gratefully received.

Thanks. Simon.

 

[lpdsn]

Hello, I'm new to owning a boat and am wondering if I can get some advice.

I've a keel-stepped mast and a leak from somewhere around the lower section of the 2-part mast plate assembly above the deck. I'm going to try and narrow down the source of the leak by making some dams of plumber's mait around each fitting. Is creeping crack cure any good for this sort of thing? Is it possible to re-do the seals properly without removing the mast?

Second thing is that I have a problem with halyards slapping inside the mast, which is bendy. I have tightened the rig up which I think has had some benefit but has not cured it. I've tried pulling the backstay, not much help. I know that the mast is able to move fore and aft at the position of the spreaders fairly easily as I've been up there and wiggled it to reproduce the slapping. I can't think of a simple way to damp the resonance but I do wonder if I could raise a bottle part-filled with water up a lower shroud.

Any tips on these two would be gratefully received.

Thanks. Simon.

I'll start with the leak first. You can't stop water getting inside a mast - not given the number of openings for lines to go in and out.

Usual thing is to have the mast plugged internally at deck level with a drain hole that comes out above the deck. This stops the water getting below decks. Doesn't always work - and some boats just live with having a dribble of water coming down inside the mast and being collected in the bilges. If it's coming down outside the mast that's a bigger problem.

I'm not sure what you mean by a 2-part mast plate assembly. Are you saying to mast consists of two parts? That's quite normal and is supposedly a consequence of mast sections being sized to fit 40' containers.

Next the mast. It's normal for a mast on a fractionally rigged boat to be bendy - it's part of triming the sails. However, it sounds like you have something that is beyond that. If you've got some sort of resonance then it is usually because there is too much cap tension and not enough on the lowers.

I also assume the mast is firmly secured at the partners - that's something else you should check, as it's important for the correct set up of a keel step mast and if the mast is free to move at deck level that could be a factor in the resonance you're getting. It's very easy for the chocks to fall out unnoticed.

 

[simon_w]

Hi, thanks. The leak seeps down from between the mast and the deck, I've tested the seal for the inside of the mast, that's OK. It's the deck-mast fitting that appears to be in 2 parts, the upper pulled down onto the lower with 4 bolts. There is no significant movement at that fitting. If rig tension is released, is it OK to start taking it apart to check seals or does the mast need to be out?

 

[wklein]

Any chance of some pics?

 

[bobgarrett]

As for the rattle,it may not be halyards to blame. If you have windex, vhf aerial etc, it can be these cables. I have the same problem and the only solution recommended is cable ties with the loose ends in a three ways spike every couple of metres. But I have not bothered to take them out to do this.

 

[lpdsn]

Hi, thanks. The leak seeps down from between the mast and the deck, I've tested the seal for the inside of the mast, that's OK. It's the deck-mast fitting that appears to be in 2 parts, the upper pulled down onto the lower with 4 bolts. There is no significant movement at that fitting. If rig tension is released, is it OK to start taking it apart to check seals or does the mast need to be out?

You shouldn't need to release the rig tension to deal with the waterproof seal at the deck level. However, your mention of bolts sounds strange. The only things I'd expect to see with screw threads there are those holding down the deck. Your blocks on the deck at the base of the mast exert an upward pull that (unlike with a deck step mast) is not countered by the mast being forced down when you have halyards etc. under tension.

As the other poster says, I really think you're going to need pictures.

 

[PaulMcC]

Your set up and leak issue sound very similar to a minor problme I have. I also have a keel stepped mast where the metal deck collar (for want of the proper word which currently escapes me) is through bolted to lock the collar to the deck, except in my case there are about 12 through bolts. I also have a small leak from this area which I think is coming from one of the through bolts. I haven't got around to fixing it as I need a box spanner to access the nut on the bolt I think is leaking.
I found the easiest way to track down the leak location was not damns on the deck but instead to dry everything inside thoroughly and then attach bits of tissue (or kitchen roll in my case) to all the possible leak points on the inside. Then after it has rained (or you've hosed the area outside) see which bit of tissue is wet or has dropped off.
Note that on most keel stepped masts there is normally a rubber or tape mast boot which is wrapped around the base of the mast and sits outside the collar. This basically stops water getting through the gap between the mast and the collar (where the wedges are).