Unstepping a keel stepped mast

[[3889]]

Hoping for some tips on what to expect for this. Boat is being transported overland and I've no experience of unstepping / stepping a keel stepped mast. I believe there is something called Sparite(?) at the deck which forms a waterproof seal. Does this need replacing or can it be reused. Any other tips gratefully received.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

Spartitie is a poured resin that makes a perfect seal and support at the most partners. When you do it you should coat one surface (usually the inner face of the through deck hole) with vaseline so the resin 'pjug' will come out with the mast.

The only other peculiarity to keel stepped masts, is the mast heel sometimes corrodes solidly into the mast step as they're often together in the damp bilge. Be ready with a club hammer, hot air gun and your favourite aluminium corrosion buster (hot lemon juice?) if there's any sign of them being stuck together. Make sure they are well coated with Lanocote when they back together.

If the mast heel will come up close to a bulkhead, then make sure there's piece of thin 'doorskin' ply or plastic to stop the heel scrapping the woodwork if it doesn't come out perfectly vertical.

Apart from that it's the same as a deck stepped.

 

[penfold]

There needs to be a live body minding the mast foot and any trailing wires etc as the mast is lifted, to avoid damage to or by the mast. Depending on the competence of whoever applied the Spartite chocking resin it may come out like a champagne cork.

 

[Neeves]

Spartite? I am getting old - wedges, a gaiter and 2 large Jubilee clips.

Whoever actually lifts the mast out - boat yard? - should be very familiar with the process if not....?? You need a, long, rope at the mast foot to control the swing, rotation of the mast (part of the role of Penfold's 'live body'). It needs to be long as the 'live body' on deck needs to get the rope to another, equally live, body down on the hard.

Make sure all cables are, securely, labelled - it makes it so much easier when the mast is re-installed

Its all a simple process - don't worry

Jonathan

 

[[3889]]

Thank you all. Informative and reassuring.

 

[vyv_cox]

I feel certain it would be difficult to persuade your boatyard staff to use a different method but here is one that was used on ours at Middelharnis on the Haringvliet. They lifted the mast off (deck stepped in our case) by the spinnaker halyard, which resulted in the mast moving vertically upwards. Every other time it has been done using slings the mast leans at quite an angle.

 

[doug748]

Some mast steps have a number of positions, if this is the case, mark it now so you can be sure things go back the right way.

Mast gaiters or boots used to be available which, for best results, had to be fitted with the mast out of the boat. This stuff seems to be the most popular solution now:

Mast Collar Tape - Self-Bonding Mast Sealant Tape

There will be two stonking usually rubber wedges fore and aft in the deck opening. Getting them back in can be a trial. I find fitting the aft one first is best, then you can force the mast backwards, at deck level, with a spanish windlass or the main winches. The forward chock can then be forced in with the use of washing up liquid to assist.

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