I'm not quite sure of the source of the leak that is causing a couple of my mast collar bolts/washers to rust inside the cabin (see picture).
There are leak marks along the ceiling that seem to pool around the bolt/washer that is rusting the most, and then travel starboard and disappear behind the teak molding between the roof and the bulkhead. There are also some sort of drip tracks along the inside walls of the mast hole below the spartite. But I'm leaning against these drip tracks as the cause of tbe leak. The reason I think the drip tracks inside the mast hole may not be from leaks is they are present all the way around the inside of the mast hole and the look a little different than dried water tracks. I think they are more likely left over from the spartite installation process. Of course, I could be wrong.
SO HERE GOES MY QUESTION. Is it possible to pull the mast collar and rebed it without removing the mast/damaging the spartite? I really don't want to pull the mast if possible.
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
In a normal installation the Spartite is bonded to the mast collar and moves freely over the mast. you extract the mast without disturbing the Spartite. So I guess theoretically you could do it the other way, unbolting and raising the collar/Spartite and leaving the mast in place. Haven't heard of it done though.
Nick Tonkin
*Former* Website Administrator, C36/375IA
*Former* owner, C36 tr/fk #255, Santa Barbara, CA
We pulled the mast collar on our boat to rebed it last year; absolutely no need to remove the mast (we don't have spartite, but I don't see why it would make a difference). The collar was bedded with silicon, no idea if it was the original job. Scraped off and rebedded with butyl tape, wrapped the top of the collar with a wide version of rigging tape they sell at WM and other chandlers; seemed to have ended the leaks.
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
Joel,
I must respectfully disagree with Nick. In most Spartite installations, the Spartite is bonded to the mast, and petroleum jelly is smeared on the mast partners. That way, when you pull the mast, the Spartite stays attached to the mast, and slides out of the partners (typically only 3-4"). If it were the other way around, you would have to pull 6-7' of mast thru the Spartite when unstepping it. So in answer to your question, it would be almost impossible to raise the mast partners without pulling the mast and/or destroying the Spartite. Sorry. Have you tried Capt Trolley's Creeping Crack Cure (no guarantee on spelling!)? It is a very viscous liquid that seeps into all the cracks and crevices. You might try loosening the leaking mast partner bolts and putting in a few doses of Capt Trolley. Many people I know swear by the stuff.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Doh, of course that's what I meant. Too early in the day! My point was that you should be able to move the collar independent of the mast.
Nick Tonkin
*Former* Website Administrator, C36/375IA
*Former* owner, C36 tr/fk #255, Santa Barbara, CA
Thanks for your reply everybody. I think I will rebed my mast collar and see if the leak stops. Thanks again--JS
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
PS the scews going through the mast collar look like special screws with an oversized phillips pattern. Does anybody know what these screws are called?
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
I had some leaking as well. It was due to someone cutting the rubber collar from the aft end. When it was reinstalled they had placed some caulking in the joint. I placed a piece of rubber behind and in front of the cut and joined them with 4200. I also made a canvas cover for the boot. The leak is from this crack. I have placed a folded paper towel below to absorb any leaks.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
I had the same rust stains on a couple of mast collar bolts, so I rebedded them with butyl tape. Seven of the 11 bolts are through-bolted and are accessible from below, the remaining four (they are on the port side) appear to be behind the bulkhead. I was able to do the first 7 but am not sure about the other four.
Does anyone know how those four bolts are attached? Are they threaded into an embedded plate?
Many thanks,
Ken Akers
1995 C-36 MkII #1378 SR/FK M35A
San Francisco Bay