Spartite mast seal

[K2MSmith]

Anyone know anything about spartite mast seals ? They’ve reinstalled my mast for my rigging project . The work isn’t finished but a remaining task is to pour the spartite mast seal . I have about a 1/2”-3/4” gap between the cabin top and mast . The cost for this is very expensive. Do people who haul their boat and take down their mast replace this every year ? I’m glad they are doing it (12+ years old ) , but it’s pricey.

 

[Tom Metzger]

Anyone know anything about spartite mast seals ? They’ve reinstalled my mast for my rigging project . The work isn’t finished but a remaining task is to pour the spartite mast seal . I have about a 1/2”-3/4” gap between the cabin top and mast . The cost for this is very expensive. Do people who haul their boat and take down their mast replace this every year ? I’m glad they are doing it (12+ years old ) , but it’s pricey.

I had a Spartite seal which predated my buying the boat. I assume the mast collar was greased before filling so the Spartite could remain on the mast when the mast was pulled. It worked fine for me as I pulled the mast a few times.

 

[Pete the Cat]

I had Spartite on my Tartan 37 and it was a problem. I installed the stuff according to the instructions and put petroleum jelly on all the surfaces prior to pouring and the stuff still stuck horrendously when we tried to remove the mast the first time. Removing the stuff from the LPU'd mast removed the paint on the mast. As you know, the specs say that you should not expect it to stop mast partner leaking and it didn't. I went back to a neoprene collar and gator arrangement and it works fine. IMHO this is another marine solution looking for a problem and presenting a few issues with its implementation.

 

[Kenneth K]

Sounds like more hassle than it's worth to me.

The poor-man's version:

- Put any kind of mast boot you can around the bottom (solid boot if the mast isn't installed yet, self-amalgamating boot if mast is in already)
- Put a few addn'l wraps of self-amalgamating or other tape (I used vinyl electrical tape) around the top of the boot, making sure it adheres to the mast.
- Put a hose-clamp around the tape wraps to keep them from unraveling.
- Cover the whole area with canvas to keep sun & weather off the area



I've had no leaks in 7 years.

 

[K2MSmith]

With a keel-stepped mast , are there any lateral forces on the deck at the mast/deck interface ?

 

[bgary]

The cost for this is very expensive.

The SparTite itself is not that expensive. Usually under $150 for a kit.

What's probably expensive is the yard labor, because they effectively have to build a "dam" around the mast under the deck to seal off the bottom of the mast partners so that the SparTite doesn't leak out when it is poured in from above. It's often a messy job, and makes a REAL mess down below if it leaks.

I'm with Kenneth. wood blocks at the partners, plus a well-sealed boot with a sunbrella cover to protect it works fine for me.

$.02
Bruce

 

[Kenneth K]

With a keel-stepped mast , are there any lateral forces on the deck at the mast/deck interface ?

The mast should be balanced side-to-side so shouldn't be much lateral force. Wood blocks are usually used to fix the position of the mast in the opening (partners).

However, some of the bend, and likely some of the rake used to pull the masthead aft of "center" has to be counteracted by the (wood blocks at the) mast partner.

 

[G Kiba]

Spartite came on my boat and is now 7-8 years old. Works fine so far. Be sure to give it some UV protection.

 

[Nick J]

I'm a fan of SparTite. It's worked well for me so far and does a good job of keeping the exterior mast water out (can't do anything about the stuff coming down the inside).

[E35-3] Mast Partners

This might be a “no duh” question, but the mast partners that came with Rhumb Ration were in several peices (marked P1,P2, S1 etc) when we got her, and they clearly had broken apart, then labeled with the numbers. One wedge has now started cracking again, so much that it fell out of the gap...

ericsonyachts.org

Even the small drip I complained about turned out to be from the hatch. Since I replaced the hatch, it's been dry. I haven't pulled the mast yet, so I don't have a complete review yet.

 

[Norwester]

On our 32-3 We just completed a rigging inspection, and discussed area where the mast penetrates the deck. I've been tracking some of these EY conversations regarding:
Mast Boots
Mast Partners
Mast Collars
Mast Ring
Mast Wedges (a type of mast chock)
Mast Chocks (a device, block or wedge or Spartite to secure (mast) in place)
and material called, Spartite, which acts like a solidifying mast wedge.
etc.
And, there has been crossover conversations regarding the purpose of each.
Additionally, there are sequencing conversations.
Finally, also a discussion regarding whether Spartite may be reused after un/stepping the mast. Many here seem to step/unstep more often than others, of course.
ALL GOOD STUFF!

Regarding Spartite...and this thread:
@Grizz (last seen in 2022) describes using it here: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/spartite-a-successful-installation.18844/
@Nick J seems also comfortable using it:
@u079721 Steve, who seems to un/step annually and moves the Spartite ring back into place writes, "the Spartite ring around my mast did NOT keep the water out. .... worth doing - I just don't think it will solve both problems." (i.e. supporting/securing the mast as it passes through deck collar/partners and keeping water out, which is really the job of a well-constructed/positioned Mast Boot.)

Oh...I wished to add this tidbit found on a rigger's site regarding the sequencing of establishing mast wedges and how-to:
https://www.dedekam.com/rdetail5.html (illustration uploaded). "Always insert the aft wedge first. Then rig a rope 20 - 24" (50 - 60 cm) above deck level to the sheet winches (fig.10) to compress the aft wedge so the forward wedge can be inserted. A lubricant such as washing up liquid will make the job easier."

Our conundrum:
Reuse the EXISTING Spartite solidified and loose wedge-like material?
Once the rig is tuned, which is needed, use a NEW Spartite kit?
or
Make Wood (or alternate material) wedges? .... and if so, anyone have some experience making with pics/sizes/#s?

Pics of our situation.

 

[peaman]

My 32-3 had a Spartite gasket from previous owner. The one time the mast was pulled and replaced, the rigger simply put it back in place. It had been split on one side for removal and reinstallation. With the gasket in place for positioning and securing the mast, but not for sealing, the rigger then applied boot tape. The tape does a good job of sealing, but will have reduced life with extended sun exposure, so I addressed that with a DIY mast boot/gaiter.

If for any reason I could not reuse the Spartite, I would use wood wedges instead, followed by boot tape and finally canvas gaiter.