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#1

Main Message Board / Re: Centering mast

Last post by Jon W - Today at 09:49:57 AM

and you don't have to take it off to sail.

#2

Main Message Board / Re: Centering mast

Last post by Joesboat - Today at 07:12:06 AM

The old one came off in one piece but it is very weathered and been in use since 2009.
I may use spartite in the future, but for now, i had the new boot already sitting on the boat.

Thanks everyone for your input!

Many of us have made Sunbrella covers for the boot.  My boot is OEM 1986, still there under the Sunbrella.

Thats a great idea!

#3

Main Message Board / Re: Centering mast

Last post by Stu Jackson - Yesterday at 08:41:38 PM

The old one came off in one piece but it is very weathered and been in use since 2009.
I may use spartite in the future, but for now, i had the new boot already sitting on the boat.

Thanks everyone for your input!

Many of us have made Sunbrella covers for the boot.  My boot is OEM 1986, still there under the Sunbrella.

#4

Main Message Board / Re: Centering mast

Last post by High Current - Yesterday at 06:17:08 PM

An afternoon cup of coffee, and4.5 hours from start to all cleaned up and i am pretty happy with it. Mast is centered in the partner and the top of the mast centered as far as I can tell. Mast appears straight sided to side and front to back.
Still Need to put a new boot on tomorrow.

I would like to use a loose gauge to assure the tensions are even and within the proper range.

Maybe the rigger will call me back.
He told me the shrouds will wear faster if they are too loose. Essentially because there is more movement being applied at the connection points.

 

Sounds like you're not totally comfortable that it's centered; you can fix that by making a simple plumb bob to check it.  Tie a washer to a string and tape the other end of the string to your mast.  Do this fore/aft and side/side.  But remember your boat may list slightly if it's in the water (mine does).

#5

Main Message Board / Re: Centering mast

Last post by Joesboat - October 02, 2025, 04:18:25 PM

[/quote]What masts circumference did you use for the boot?
[/quote]

I measured the mast circumference at 24" and bought the SSI Model 914, around $60.

Joe : What happened to the original mast boot? You didn't mention that it was cracked or unusable?? If that is the case I'd go with the spar tight.

A thought

The old one came off in one piece but it is very weathered and been in use since 2009.
I may use spartite in the future, but for now, i had the new boot already sitting on the boat.

Thanks everyone for your input!

#6

Main Message Board / Re: Main Hatch

Last post by Ron Hill - October 02, 2025, 04:14:03 PM

Guy : I installed the same tap by putting it on a aluminum strip.  Then I inserted the strip under the overhead hatch on each side. I drilled a small hole in the aluminum on the cockpit end and screwed it in place!! No need to remove teak etc.

All is quiet now.  A few thoughts   

#7

Main Message Board / Re: Centering mast

Last post by Ron Hill - October 02, 2025, 04:06:55 PM

Joe : What happened to the original mast boot? You didn't mention that it was cracked or unusable?? If that is the case I'd go with the spar tight.

A thought

#8

Main Message Board / Re: Centering mast

Last post by krafty81 - October 02, 2025, 02:30:17 PM

I would be interested in what kind of mast boot you intend to use that can go on with the mast in place? 

I have the Universal Mast Boot by SSI, it can be fit over the unstepped mast like yours. I will cut this one vertically and try to have as much overlap as possible, with caulk between the overlapping layers. It looks to be similar to what I removed today, it had about 7-8 inches overlapping.

https://defender.com/en_us/ssi-universal-mast-boot

Yes to the timeframe being a factor in shroud deterioration.

What masts circumference did you use for the boot?

#9

Main Message Board / Re: Main Hatch

Last post by Jim Hardesty - October 02, 2025, 04:25:16 AM

I used an adhesive uhmw tape that someone on here recommended.  These usually have pressure sensitive adhesive, so it is critical to prep and then firmly press the tape.  I removed the wood rails and sea hood to allow good access to the slide area.  After surface prep and laying the tape, I used a j roller to apply a lot of force to the tape to get good adhesion.  After 5 years, there does not appear to be any adhesion loss where I can see the tape.

My first season with Shamrock I did the same.  Remove seahood, clean, install uhmw tape, replace seahood.  Was a simple but time consuming job.  That was 15+ seasons ago and still works great although the uhmw tape is starting to wear out.
Jim

#10

Main Message Board / Re: Main Hatch

Last post by waughoo - October 01, 2025, 11:15:41 PM

I used an adhesive uhmw tape that someone on here recommended.  These usually have pressure sensitive adhesive, so it is critical to prep and then firmly press the tape.  I removed the wood rails and sea hood to allow good access to the slide area.  After surface prep and laying the tape, I used a j roller to apply a lot of force to the tape to get good adhesion.  After 5 years, there does not appear to be any adhesion loss where I can see the tape.