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[High Current]

Going to launch + step the mast for the first time on Wednesday.

I think I understand the process but can’t figure out what sealant to use for the mast boot.  The Catalina manual just says “caulk.”   I’ve seen mention of silicone on the forums, but after removing a bunch from my leaking chainplates I don’t want the stuff anywhere near my boat…

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Noah]

I would recommend Sikaflex 291 for that kind of sealing job.

[High Current]

Thank you!  That looks good.

[Phil Spicer]

 Silicon tape has on adhesive, just stretch and it will stick to itself and the mast. On mess to clean when it is removed. You can run it around the mast joint 2 or 3 times for a good seal. Found a 4” wide silicone mast seal tape this week. Once around and done. Will post the name of the tape when I get to the boat this afternoon.
 Years age I found “Rescue Tape” at the Annapolis boat show. Used that for years. ( my marina pulls all masts because of a wire across the yard. ) Silicone tape became my go to mast seal.

[Ron Hill]

High : If you look in the Mainsheet tech notes you find an article I wrote on removing and reinstalling that mast. Biggest thing to remember is to slide in that "mast tie down piece" in the sail track!! 

Also make yourself a sunbrella cover for your over the mast boot (to keep it out of the hot sun!!) Another Mainsheet tech note article!!

A few thoughts

 

[Phil Spicer]

 The silicone tape I found is “Tommy tape mast boot wrap.”  Should only take one time around the mast to get a good seal. Will know tomorrow when we splash.
    Phil

[Jim Hardesty]

One of the sailors in my club uses only shrink wrap tape.  No mast boot. Takes mast down every year and new shrink wrap tape.  Works for him.
Jim

[High Current]

Thanks again for the help everyone!

I love rescue tape but didn’t see the post in time.  If that works it seems like a nice, mess-free solution.  But I’ve had trouble making waterproof seals with it in the past.  Ended up with a tube of Sikaflex.  And I’ll definitely look into making a cover.

Launch was Wednesday, but when we went to step the mast there was 1/2” of water in what had been a bone-dry bilge the day before.  Uh-oh.  Found a steady trickle coming around the thru-hull for the speed transducer.  So I got to do some below-the-waterline sealing too!  Happy to report that (after much work) the 2nd attempt yesterday was successful.