Thoughts on a keel stepped mast?

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RO'D

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Boat #2 had a keel stepped mast, and I swore I'd never get another.
A constant dribble into the bilges, both condensation and rain, meant a forever damp smelling boat.
Rusting keel bolts and compression plate....not a selling point.

I've been boatless the last couple of years, and am currently looking for boat #4 - needless to say a boat with a keel stepped mast has caught my eye.

Wondering what people think about them - was my previous experience typical?
Anything else I should consider?

Thanks all
 
There are lots of beautiful, attractive and fast yachts with keel stepped masts. We have one, does get a small amount of rain down inside the mast, but certainly never been an issue and certainly never a cause of damp or smell (fresh water, into keel sump, out via automatic bilge pump).
In theory there is supposed to be a water barrier inside the mast below the halyard exits at deck level, but the wiring comes through this - and doesn’t seem to be fully watertight. Perhaps the is a thre is a way to reseal? Zero leak round the mast gaiter at deck level.

Anybody would need a lot more information on boat size, type (performance cruiser, see caravan) age etc to give any useful info.

Personally I would think a deck stepped mast is simpler, but for a fast-ish cruiser a lot come with keel stepped masts and didn’t put me off.
 
I’ve sailed boats with keel stepped masts, but never owned one; but I have friends who have not reported any issues with their keel stepped masts. However, two other friends have had serious, and recent, problems due to water ingress via the inside of the mast.

This ingress resulted in rotten floors and collapsing mast foot supports - in the latter case, leading to a 6 figure repair bill. That boat had only been owned for a short time and was surveyed prior to purchase. Subsequently, a much closer investigation revealed a previous (but now failed) repair.

In both the cases I’ve referred to, the boats - both boats with GRP hulls - were by (different) renowned, quality builders.

A keel stepped mast wouldn’t put me off, but I’d be looking at the under floor structures VERY closely and instructing a surveyor, in writing, to do the same.
 
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I sailed a museum lugger with keel stepped mast, from caithness to shetland and back about 15 years ago (Barnabas of St Ives). The canvas boot around the mast at deck level failed to fully keep rain and splashing waves out, and having elected to sleep fore of the mast in the forepeak my bedding got wet. The boot was however large and more complex as mast could be pivoted down while fishing to keep c of g low. I only went there as I was one of the few onboard small and contorted enough to fit in the ships boy slot and they must have had a rough time back in the day
 
RO'D said:
Boat #2 had a keel stepped mast, and I swore I'd never get another.
A constant dribble into the bilges, both condensation and rain, meant a forever damp smelling boat.
Rusting keel bolts and compression plate....not a selling point.

I've been boatless the last couple of years, and am currently looking for boat #4 - needless to say a boat with a keel stepped mast has caught my eye.

Wondering what people think about them - was my previous experience typical?
Anything else I should consider?

Thanks all
Click to expand...
I get zero water below via my keel stepped mast.
 
My Nicholson 32 had a keel stepped mast. No internal halyards at all and a good well fitting mast boot meant no water got below, at least none that I detected. My steel Gaff Cutter's mast was in a Tabernacle, but as I had no problems with either rig I would be happy with both.
Got an open boat now, mast clamped to a thwart..Bloody wet..:ROFLMAO:
 
I’ve a Malo 1100, first boat that is keel stepped. I had no hesitation about it buying it. No issues with mast boot, there is a very small amount of water comes out bottom of mast and into bilge, pump soon clears that up as water runs into small recess which is lower than the keel bolts, no issues with smells.
 
My UFO 31 has a keel stepped mast. I've never been able to completely eradicate water coming down the inside of the mast and have now accepted it as a fact of life. A few minutes sponging out the bilge after rain is not an onerous task and is compensated by the feeling of added security that a keel stepped mast gives.
 
As you state in your original post a significant portion of the water is moisture in the boat condensing against the cold mas. Either make an insulating jacket or look at is as a dehumidifiert
 
Sneaky Pete said:
I’ve a Malo 1100, first boat that is keel stepped. I had no hesitation about it buying it. No issues with mast boot, there is a very small amount of water comes out bottom of mast and into bilge, pump soon clears that up as water runs into small recess which is lower than the keel bolts, no issues with smells.
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Exactly the same as ours.
And no condensation on mast as covered up with a Velcro detachable cover.
 
DanTribe said:
My UFO 31 has a keel stepped mast. I've never been able to completely eradicate water coming down the inside of the mast and have now accepted it as a fact of life. A few minutes sponging out the bilge after rain is not an onerous task and is compensated by the feeling of added security that a keel stepped mast gives.
Click to expand...

I’d get yourself a Milwaukee Aqua Vac. Job done in seconds and so many uses on board.

Both our boats have keel stepped masts, never thought of it as an issue either.

Our new boat has it’s original sea water cooled engine, changing the anode made much easier by sucking out all the seawater and bits of anode, no mess anywhere.

Wouldn’t be without one now.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/milwauke...MIh8Hj9_r7kQMVfZeDBx00eS_mEAQYAiABEgLg9vD_BwE
 
xyachtdave said:
I’d get yourself a Milwaukee Aqua Vac. Job done in seconds and so many uses on board.

Both our boats have keel stepped masts, never thought of it as an issue either.

Our new boat has it’s original sea water cooled engine, changing the anode made much easier by sucking out all the seawater and bits of anode, no mess anywhere.

Wouldn’t be without one now.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/milwauke...MIh8Hj9_r7kQMVfZeDBx00eS_mEAQYAiABEgLg9vD_BwE
Click to expand...
Tempting, but my boat already has a surfeit of gadgets and £90 buys a lot of sponges.
 
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