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Last year, we purchased a boat on the Connecticut coast and sailed/motored up the Hudson River/Champlain Canal to northern Vermont.  This requires stepping the mast for the journey up the canal/lock system.  When the crane operator began to pull the mast in Kingston, NY, the entire boat began to lift out of the water.  The mast was sealed to the deck with Spartite that was improperly applied.  Probably, no Vasoline was put around the deck hole to allow the Spartite plug to pop out easily. We worked for an extra day in drilling, chiseling, sawing out the epoxy plug.  It is very tough stuff.  We scarred the mast in the process. When we finally got it out, the Spartite was 4 inches thick (it is supposed to be 1 in thick). Talking to the Spartite company, they acknowledged that if their product is improperly applied that the problems we encountered are very possible.  I can readily validate that Spartite provides a nice, tight seal for the mast. Just make sure, if you use it, that it's applied correctly and doesn't give you too tight a seal!

Tim
Meerdink
Hull 1207  1992

Thanks for the info - we are looking forward to the ice leaving the lake (tons of ice fisherman still out today!) so we can sail!  We will probably end up adapting the excel spreadsheet for our own use, & leave the BoatUS form ashore for long trips -

Tim & Melissa

We have just signed a contract to purchase a 1992 34 Catalina - closing in a few weeks.  We're curious about what a "float plan" includes - referenced by Ken, & apparently shown in Stu's picture.  Can anyone tell us what data you put into your spreadsheet?

Thanks -
Tim & Melissa