I have purchased some new flexible "mast tape/wrap" to replace the more rigid "boot" which seals the opening where the mast penetrates the deck at the partners. As designed, rainwater is able to follow the continuous sail slot below deck and leak on the floor boards below. At least on my boat, the rain doesn't follow the sail slot all the way to the bilge. It wicks about 1-2" aft of the underside of the partners and then plops on the floorboards.
The more ideal solution would be to use a Spartite-type product to pour in the gap between the partners and the mast to seal the area from water intrusion. But with a mast boot or the wrap I'm going to use, you're left with plugging the sail slot above deck where it meets the boot or tape or it will leak during every rain.
I'm trying not to overthink this. But I'm wondering if there are preferred ways of plugging the sail slot above the boot/wrap to eliminate the leaks?
As always, thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.
Patches
Why not just roll some butyl tape and force/firm it into the track at the boot top?
Patches : Besides Butyl rubber, you could just fill the track (by the tape) with silicone caulk!!
A thought
I dealt with this today. After replacing my mast boot it leaked pretty bad. I filled the gap with wax from two toilet bowl wax rings. I then wrapped everything with Gorilla white patch & seal tape then put the mast boot over everything. It passed the hose test. Will see how long it lasts.
Put in some silicone over 20 years ago. Still working. Also seal the top of the boot
With silicone tape. Only get water down the inside of mast.
My mast is pulled every year so always reseal with new tape each year, but have never redone the dab of silicone. No mast up storage in the yard I use. Rig can relax , 6 months on, 6 months off.
I also use silicone to fill the sail slide and seal to the mast boot. Works great. I buy the small squeeze tube size which makes it easier to get in the tight spaces.
ditto on the dab of silicone in the slot and a wee bit around the boot/mast joint. Been fine for two years now. Had the mast pulled last fall. First time since I bought her 4 years ago. Will slide a new boot on it instead of the split boot that I put on two years ago when I commission her.
Many thanks to the brain trust! I thought I might be overthinking this and appreciate the simple solutions recommended.
Patches