Hi Guys,
I have been having this problem since the mast was unstepped and restepped for repairs. Don Casey's book says this should be fixed when the mast is being stepped. Is this the only way to do it? Is is reasonable to just use a sealant? Which one? Can the boot be replaced without unstepping the mast?
Peter L
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Peter Lundquist
s/v Rafael
1998 Catalina 36
Hull #1669
Salem, MA
The original Catalina Mast boot is a ring. It must be inserted from the bottom of the mast before the mast is reinstalled. The only caulking that is needed is on the upper part of the boot where it straps on to the mast.
I recently adjusted my shrouds - then I found that the boot was leaking. Then I found that - as the boat was shipped on a truck - that someone just cut the boot along the seam where the groove is along the channel that the slugs slide. Then they re-wrapped the boot and placed caulking in the channel. To fix this I removed both straps and peeled back the slit and cleaned the caulking and placed a strip of vinyl under it and caulked it and placed another strip of vinyl over the seem and re-installed the 2 straps. There is no more leaking. To extend the life of the boot from UV- I made a cover for the boot using sunbrella material. It looks great. I have photos if it will help you. Let me know.
Haro Bayandorian, 1999 C36 MKII, Sail La Vie #1787, M35B,
Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA.
Peter,
Have you given any thought to Spar-tite? Leaks and wedges are now a thing of the past.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT