Mast wedges

[Terence_Cutts2 (Terence Cutts)]

Well, the mast is out for the first time in over 15 years as the previous owner did not believe in removal, maybe just maybe he got that idea from the owner before him and so on…
Prepping for demasting I started to expose the wedges which I assumed will be the original hardwood. I have already purchased Mike Quill’s plastic replacements and a boot for next year. Under the yards of electrical tape that the previous owner used as a boot I found what appeared to be 1” thick plastic/rubber compound, no wedges at all. I assumed this thick “plastic” was poured in place to seal the area atop of the wedges. Now on the clock as my mast team was waiting I though crap, I have to cut out this sealant. To my surprise after hacking at it with hammer and chisel for 10 minutes to no avail. I noticed this sealant ring creeping up the mast. So I started hammering upwards. Bingo, I found that my mast wedges with this “sealant cap” are one piece. As in a 1” thick seal cap with wedges tapered to slip in to the hole, one piece. So several taps up and bingo it was up and out of the deck ring.
I have not heard anyone else describe this sort of seal collar cap wedge combo in the blog and I wanted to share what I found. I personally think this all in one unit is brilliant and I will be trying to remove it from the mast when it gets cooler and maybe use it as a template for a 3D print for a replacement as one other NS36 owner had a bugger of at time getting his wedges out whilst crane side and I hope to avoid that in the future.

Terry and Clarise
Phoenix 30U #404
Toronto

[user29 (Brian @ SV Serenity)]

Terry
That looks like Spartight (google it). It’s a two-part compound that you can use to seal that mast ring, both preventing movement and keeping weather out. It works. When we pulled my masts out earlier this year, the mizzen came out easily in one piece. The main did not, and had to be cut. I replaced it when we stepped the masts again.

To step the masts, we dropped the mast into place, tapped some small white cedar wedges into place to hold the mast exactly where we wanted it, then set to work on the Spartight. Grease the inside of the mast collar with Vasoline–liberally, plug up the hole at the bottom with provided clay and foam tubing, and mix and pour the compound. Sets in minutes. Literally, if it is hot outside. Mast removal next time should be as easy as popping the mast out. Or, as someone found out, it could pick up the front end of the boat.

Brian
SV Serenity
Nonsuch Nereus #003
Pax River, MD

[Bill_Wildman]

Spartight. My wedges would not stay in place. Go rid of em and poured Spartight