Spartite can be reused if it survives the unstepping intact, which it
usually does. Just lube it up liberally for the return trip into the
partners, and then run a bead of caulking around the edge to help seal it.
The addition of a mast boot wrap would minimize any seepage of water.

Shane Wilson
Panda 40 - Muse
Port Townsend, WA

>From: Richard Cassano <rcassano@optonline.net>
>Reply-To: baba-l@ballreich.net
>To: baba-l@ballreich.net
>Subject: Re: [Baba-L] Mast issues
>Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 08:36:15 -0500
>
>Gray Eagle has exactly the same mast seal setup as Amadon Light. In fact,
>my review of this product (Spartite) would endorse Bill's comments in every
>detail. My wife made the Sunbrella cover for the outside to keep the UV off
>the Spartite material. We do not get a single drop of water past the deck
>at this location and there is no noise from the partners during heavy
>weather. There is a significant amount of dripping that comes down the
>interior of the mast from the halyard sheaves and all the other openings
>for running rigging. There is nothing one can do to stop this. Our Spartite
>installation has been in place for five years, (Note: the mast has not been
>pulled since it was installed). I agree with Bill - it is not likely the
>Spartite would survive having the mast pulled and reinstalled and still
>have the same perfect seal at the partners although the Spartite vendor
>says it can be done with success. I would go for a new Spartite pour next
>time I have to pull the stick,(this spring)and cut away the old stuff.
>
>>http://www.spartite.com/
>
>One note of advice: Before the Spartite is poured and with the mast
>stepped, be sure the basic mast orientation is correct. Another words, the
>mast should be "in the ball park" for tunning before you pour the Spartite.
>If not you will be trying to pull the mast into a proper tune placing
>pressure (point loading one side)of the Spartite to accomplish this.
>
>Our Spartite installation was done by Atlantic Spars & Rigging in
>Annapolis. Great rigging company if you need a professional.
>
>Rich Cassano
>
>Gary Walls & Bill Healy wrote:
>>Richard,
>>The dam and pour produces an excellent mast brace. The first time it was
>>in position for about five years.
>>However, after removing the mast we found that it was impossible to get
>>back in place when the mast was re-stepped.
>>So, we did a new pour - and that was three years ago. In both instances,
>>we also made up a Sunbrella cover to protect
>>the material from being degraded bythe tropical sun. Both times, after
>>several ocean passages, water (rain & salt water)
>>dripped down the mast.
>>
>>Amadon Light has a Ta Shing made/installed stainless ring around the deck
>>opening for the mast. When taping for the
>>pour, I brought the tape a half inch above the level of the stainless ring
>>and poured the material until it just covered
>>the stainless by about an eighth of an inch. That sealed perfectly and no
>>rain or salt water has ever dripped down between
>>the outer perimeter of the material and the deck.
>>
>>The dripping both times has been right down the mast itself. A bead of
>>silicon where the mast meets the material solved
>>the problem. Perhaps a light sanding of the mast - in our case, painted
>>aluminum - might make for a better seal.
>>
>>Even though the kit is not cheap, does not seal perfectly, and can not -
>>in our experience - be reinserted once the mast
>>is removed, I think it is the best at doing its job that we have tried so
>>far. You can get the mast exactly positioned through the deck,
>>and it never moves, squeaks, or moans, thereafter. We like it better than
>>the wedges and "garters" rolled into position, which are two other
>>solutions tried in the past. And, using the foam and putty provided is
>>easy to insert to seal for the pour.
>>
>>Bill Healy
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
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Received on Mon Feb 19 10:50:32 2007