From: Storm_Petrel_ (Original Message) Sent: 07/01/2008 16:14
Hi All,
Just purchased a MkII in nice shape with a 15HP Yanmar from a gent in Pittwater. First imprssions are that it sails brilliantly for a such a heavy boat.
The boat was recently rerigged but it still has the old mild steel mast step. There is no drain hole and the step seems to fill with water each time it rains. Is this a problem that I should be worrying about? Has anyone drilled a drain hole or found another way to keep the mast step dry?
Cheers,
Mark
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Recommend Message 2 of 6 in Discussion
From: marklang2 Sent: 08/01/2008 04:47
G'day Mark,
I have a Mark1 - lost the mast about 12 months ago - substantial corrosion at the mast step - didn't cause the loss - but the insurance company made me pay a large % because of the corrosion.. So it can be a problem. I hadn't noticed it filling with water though.
Mark
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Recommend Message 3 of 6 in Discussion
From: GosfordPhil3 Sent: 09/01/2008 23:29
I have a drainage hole in my mast step. Had the mast out 3 years ago and there was no problems with mast base
cheers
Phil
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Recommend Message 4 of 6 in Discussion
From: Storm_Petrel_ Sent: 10/01/2008 15:52
Hi Phil,
I was thinking of drilling abou a 3/8th inch hole in the lower aft port side of the mild steel mast step. Is the drain hole on your boat on the side and about this size and do you have any problems with rust stains (cf anchor locker drain hole on MkIIIs) from it?
Cheers,
Mark
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Recommend Message 5 of 6 in Discussion
From: GosfordPhil3 Sent: 11/01/2008 18:05
Hi Mark
The Drain hole is on the starboard side of the mast base. I did have a small stain that acid washed off and has not returned.
cheers
Phil
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Recommend Message 6 of 6 in Discussion
From: Storm_Petrel_ Sent: 11/01/2008 23:15
Hi Phil,
Thanks. I just went down to my boat and tapped a small nail around the lower paint work on the mast step and sure enough I found a drain hole on the port side. It had been filled with some sort of anticorrosion tar which covers the inside of the mast step and then painted over. (I wonder how long it has been like that?)
I have cleaned it out the hole and painted it with killrust. Hopefully I will have no more swimming pools at the bottom of the mast now.
Thanks for your help Phil.
Cheers,
Mark