to boot or not to boot?

[TDwyer]

I have a deck-stepped Stika spruce mast. The mast base sets in a shallow receiver (sides about 1/2-inch high)equipped with a small drain hole. Should the base be left open to the air to allow rainwater to drain and/or evaporate, or should it be equipped with a mast boot to try to keep water out altogether?

[Mike Field]

TD, is the heel of the mast rounded, to allow for changes in rake? If it is, I'd leave it open. If it's flat, it might stay damp longer, but still should dry out okay as long as you keep that scupper clean.

If you finally decide on the boot, don't tack it to the mast and deck, as they used to recommend. Use a constrictor-knot seizing (or a jubilee clip) around the mast, and bed it down on the deck with Sikaflex where you should be able to simply weight it until the bedding cures.

[Frank Wentzel]

Mike

What is a "jubilee clip"?

/// Frank ///

[ishmael]

A fiftieth anniversary haircut?

Mechanical viagra?

But seriously, I think I'd leave the base of your spar open. Is it stepped and unstepped often? If not, any moisture under a boot will go unnoticed for some time. Keep the endgrain of the spar well sealed and the drain open. My two cents. 'Course, a boot looks pretty spiff.

[Mike Field]

Oh, sorry. A jubilee clip is one of those metal hose-clips with a threaded wormgear arrangement that you tighten with a screwdriver or small spanner. You can get pretty big ones, and you can join a couple together if necessary to make them even bigger. They're available in stainless, too.

Not very nautical, of course, but once you turn the boot over you won't see it.

[ishmael]

Sorry, what is that, sorry. I liked my imaginings, and you can just bugger off. http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/wink.gif

[Mike Field]

Aw, gee, Ish. And I thought I was being helpful. (Sniff.) Now you've really hurt my feelings. http://www.duhspot.com/users/smiley/s/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif

[TDwyer]

Thank you all for the responses. I purchased the boat this year and did not notice if the heel of the mast was rounded prior to it being stepped. I plan to unstep the mast every winter and bring it inside for inspection and regular maintenance. I believe I will not install the boot. Any suggestions for sealing the endgrain?