Mast ring query for those with keeled stepped masts

[Stooriefit]

Hi

The mast on my Victoria 34 passes through an aluminium ring which sits on the top of the coachroof. The ring takes the blocks which take the halyards from the mast onto the coachroof and so back to the deck organisers. The ring was plastic dipped when new but the plastic has now failed in several places and as a result water is coming into the cabin. I've taken the ring off and plan to remove the remaining plastic and paint up the aluminium. It has been suggested that what I really need to do is replace the aluminium ring with a new one made out of stainless steel.

My questions are:

1. Anyone had a similar problem and if so what was their solution? How long did it last?

2. Anyone ever had a bespoke SS mast ring made up and if so by whom and how much was it?

Many thanks

Alastair

 

[sailorman]

Hi

The mast on my Victoria 34 passes through an aluminium ring which sits on the top of the coachroof. The ring takes the blocks which take the halyards from the mast onto the coachroof and so back to the deck organisers. The ring was plastic dipped when new but the plastic has now failed in several places and as a result water is coming into the cabin. I've taken the ring off and plan to remove the remaining plastic and paint up the aluminium. It has been suggested that what I really need to do is replace the aluminium ring with a new one made out of stainless steel.

My questions are:

1. Anyone had a similar problem and if so what was their solution? How long did it last?

2. Anyone ever had a bespoke SS mast ring made up and if so by whom and how much was it?

Many thanks

Alastair

Mine is finished in SAA made by Kemp

 

[merlin3688]

Sailspar many years ago used to make them in stainless steel, I am sure they would be happy to quote. http://www.sailspar.co.uk/

 

[knuterikt]

My mast ring is made of anodized aluminium.

Had to re-bed the ring after 28 years due to a small leak.
It's a mast boot that keeps the water from going in between the mast and deck ring - it was replaced some years ago when we pulled the mast.
Here is a picture

 

[Yacht Yogi]

Probably a bad idea to fit a stainless steel one, cover it over with a boot and then get it all damp with water. The aluminium mast is just going to corrode where it contacts the collar and will eventuaslly crack and need to be repaired.

 

[knuterikt]

Probably a bad idea to fit a stainless steel one, cover it over with a boot and then get it all damp with water. The aluminium mast is just going to corrode where it contacts the collar and will eventuaslly crack and need to be repaired.

You wouldn't make a mast ring so tight fitting that it is in direct contact with the mast?
Normally we use some sort of mast chocks between the mast and the hole - I use rubber plates on my mast.
The mast boot is made out of rubber - does not conduct electricity.

Don't see any problem making it of stainless steel.

 

[charles_reed]

Hi

The mast on my Victoria 34 passes through an aluminium ring which sits on the top of the coachroof. The ring takes the blocks which take the halyards from the mast onto the coachroof and so back to the deck organisers. The ring was plastic dipped when new but the plastic has now failed in several places and as a result water is coming into the cabin. I've taken the ring off and plan to remove the remaining plastic and paint up the aluminium. It has been suggested that what I really need to do is replace the aluminium ring with a new one made out of stainless steel.

My questions are:

1. Anyone had a similar problem and if so what was their solution? How long did it last?

2. Anyone ever had a bespoke SS mast ring made up and if so by whom and how much was it?

Many thanks

Alastair

Unfortunately you're highlighting one of the perennial problems of keel stepped masts.

First, you've some really bum information on replacing your mast collar with a stainless fabrication. It's unlikely to cure the problem and at vast cost.

Take off your current collar and have it sand blasted (to get off the old plastic coating) then have it anodised. The replacement on my boat was supplied with that finish.
I've found that wide self-amalgamating tape, over the through-joint packed with silicone sealant will keep leaks at bay for about 3-5 years.

 

[bikedaft]

take off alum ring, clean with wire brush. reseal with eg polysulphide. hide under new mast boot made from inner tubes, also sealed wiith poly sulphide

about £20

 

[Stooriefit]

Thanks folks. Just for some clarity:

1. I do have a neoprene boot cover that secures to the mast and to the mast ring. This was repalced last year and it is not letting in the water. The water is actually coming in through the screws that secure the ring to the deck and failed plastic covering of the ring.

2. The aluminium mast is not in direct contact with the ring as there are rubber wedges that sit between the ring and the mast. Therefore having on emade in SS shouldn't be an issue for that reason.

Think I'm going to take the ring off and shot blast then epoxy and topcoat.

Thanks again.

 

[Clive]

I have a keel stepped mast on my X-yacht. It has an aluminium mast gate, supplied ny the manufactured of the mast, John masts of denmark. It seem to me that yiou have 3 issues
1) the costing of the aluminium, just remove the plastic and paint, use etch prima then some good car spray paint, then seal it to the deck
2) the turning block fixings, on my boat these are ss L brackets bolted through the mast gate and deck.
3) mast chocks and sealing the gap. Selden do hard rubber pads for use as mast chocks, you can then either use a boot or just wide tape and a drop of silicon down the track or there is a product called "Spartite" just do a web search. I have bought some to do my mast this year. hopefully w/e after Easter.

 

[charles_reed]

Keel Stepped?

Yes

 

[charles_reed]

take off alum ring, clean with wire brush. reseal with eg polysulphide. hide under new mast boot made from inner tubes, also sealed wiith poly sulphide

about £20

Very cheap, but the inner-tube gaiter will probably just manage one season - Z-Spars provided a plastic moulding for my new mast & collar - used with silicon (not polysulphide) sealant and cable ties it's easy to renew every time a dribble starts.

 

[bikedaft]

4 seasons and fine so far

ok i used tractor tyre inner tube, but was still free

prefer polysulphide. especially for under the alum oval, as may get moved/bashed when mast goes in/out, and by wedges.

 

[30boat]

I made my own ring after the alloy one corroded beyond repair.I used 316 stainless angle iron in an octogonal shape because at the time I didn't have a way of bending steel bar.Intead of rubber chocks I used a hard silicone rubber compound that was poured into the void once the mast had been centered.For a boot I found that the best ever solution is a length of wetsuit leg.It has no seams and being elastic it conforms perfectly to the shape of the mast and ring.Instead of tie bars or jubilee clips I used a few turns of shock cord wound tightly.A canvas boot was laid over the lot for UV protection.Never had another leak for as long as I owned the boat.