Deck-stepped mast leaks

[eisjeff]

The mast on my 1996 34MKII has developed a leak. The water is running down the sides of the metal compression post.
It there a "quick fix" that I can do this summer to abate the issue then pull the mast in the fall?

[Stu Jackson]

Here's how it was built, at least on a C320.  Track it down.  Good luck.

[Jim Hardesty]

I get a leak down when the mast doesn't drain after a rain.  When I first got Shamrock would get water down down inside the compression post and it would slowly drain at the mast step for days after a hard rain.  When I unsteped the mast I could see that the leak was caused by the water building up inside the mast high enough to leak at the wire entrance, a few inches above the step.  There was only a small hole, about 1/8, for water to drain and got plugged with dirt.  I just increased the hole and made for a more straight flow so I could unplug with a small wire.  That fixed my leak.  If I notice water draining slowly from the mast base, I take a small wire and clean out the drain hole.
Hope this helps,
Jim