Thanks Shane,
 
That makes perfect sense to use a release agent and avoide the heart stopping thump!
 
So you're up there with my good friend Hasse. She mentioned your boat when she was down here a couple of weeks ago. My new set of Hasse sails gets shipped this Friday so it looks like I'll be bending them on soon. Did you get the cream or go with white?
 
Cherie
s/v Karma
Baba 40 #115
Long Beach, CA
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Shane Wilson <vermeerasia@hotmail.com>
To: baba-l@ballreich.net
Sent: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 05:59:14 -0800
Subject: Re: [Baba-L] Spartight


When Spartite is used, use a release agent on the inside surface to the partners (mast hole). Vaseline works well. The sealing effectiveness won't be compromised. This way the next time you pull your stick you won't be shocked with a heart-stopping bang, and the reuse of the solidified Spartite seal will be easier. When you reuse the Spartite partners, again lube it up with Vaseline (except for the very upper rim) to ease entry back into the tight space and the run a bead of sealant, like 4000, around the upper edge or rim of the Spartite where is rests on the deck fitting -- this will complete the seal in a resused application.
 
Good Luck,
 
Shane Wilson
SV Muse - Panda 40
Port Townsend, WA
 
>From: Gary Walls & Bill Healy <amadonlight@mac.com>
>Reply-To: baba-l@ballreich.net
>To: baba-l@ballreich.net
>Subject: Re: [Baba-L] Spartight
>Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:35:35 -0800
>
>Cherie,
>We have used Spartight twice. The first time was six years ago in Spain >while redoing the mast and adding a Leisurefurl boom. The next time was 18 >months ago after rebuilding the mast step in French Polynesia. It is not >difficult to use, provided you completely seal around the bottom inside >the boat. Filling the integral sail track slot in the mast - if your mast >has one - is the only tricky part of the job. If there is a pinhole >remaining the material will run out like thick syrup and you will have a >mess. The foam tubing and putty they provide are easy to work with and are >effective in sealing the space around the mast.
>
>The Spartight seal came out with the mast when it was pulled in Raiatea. >The mast seemed glued in place as the crane tried to lift it. Then, the >mast jumped up with a bang when the Spartight seal broke loose; a >heart-stopping bang. The Spartight remained in position on the mast. >However, on restepping, the Spartight collar would not go back in the >deck, no matter how hard we prodded, pushed, and cajoled it. Finally, with >the hour meter on the crane running on French overtime, I cut it off. It >was a very hard job, as it is one of the toughest materials around. We >bought another batch and did fresh pour in place.
>
>Other observations. We had a Sunbrella collar made to fit around the mast >to keep the sun off the synthetic Spartight material. After about two >years of ocean passages water began to weep down the mast in rain or spray >at sea. I wrote Spartight to ask what was the best sealant to use that >would adhere to their material. They never responded. I used silicone and >it was effective, but had to be renewed twice. And, we always keep the >Sunbrella cover in place. For the life of me, I can not recall having >sealed it the second time, but the mast below was dry this time across the >Pacific.
>
>Obviously, the product works in stabilizing the mast, and we are satisfied >with it. The inability to reuse it was a disappointment. One of their >advertised advantages is that the mast can be removed and replaced >numerous times. Perhaps we are an unusual case and others have >successfully reinstalled a mast with the seal in place.
>
>Bill Healy
>Amadon Light
>
>
>
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>http://www.ballreich.net/hypermail/baba-l/faq.html
 
 
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Received on Wed Mar 29 07:19:54 2006