[C320-list] Mast Step Water Leak

[Jane & Ken]

Jeff is certainly correct about the drain.  Here in Texas, we have lots of wasp dabbing mud nests inside the mast and the drain hole is always clogged-----so, I drilled a couple of offset holes around the mast--as Jeff suggested--about 3/4 inch above the base.  Once a month I use a fireman's nozzel to force water into the mast via the holes I drilled-----WOW what a lot of muddy water runs out the other holes, but for the last 14 years I have had no water enter the boat via the compression post.    Be certain to offset any holes you drill.
Ken OBUOY #219

--- On Tue, 8/25/09, Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:


From: Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mast Step Water Leak
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 1:28 PM



Hi,

There is an interesting but little known fact about the mast step. 

There is a drain hole that is easily clogged from inside and tricky to unclog. 

At the aft end of the mast step is a SS loop or padeye for attaching something (who knows). 
But molded into the step where this loop attaches is a channel for draining out water that would accumulate inside the mast.   A powerful hose or compressed air will sometimes clear out that drain channel. 

The mast step plate has a short tube that sticks up from the step where the wires come through from below.  If the water inside the mast (due to a clogged drain) rises above the top of the tube then it will drain inside the boat. 

The mast step itself is a cast alum hunk. This sits on another heavy alum plate that is directly welded to the compression post. This is actually the plate with the small wiring tube.  Think of a tube with a large flat plate welded on top.

I would be surprised if this part of the deck had wood in it,  but maybe in the older hulls. 

One really easy way to see if your drain is clogged is to drill a small 1/4" hole in the mast track at the very bottom of the mast.  

If what I think is happening,  you'll get a gush of water coming out.   I've personally seen/done this on a C380 which has the same setup.  I also personally removed my mast step and compression post years ago to fix some leaks and am now careful to keep the drain clear. 

You didn't say whether water was coming down the inside or outside of the compression post. 

Hope this helps. 
-JeffH


  


------Original Message------
From: Bryan Morton
Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
ReplyTo: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Mast Step Water Leak
Sent: Aug 25, 2009 1:16 PM

I was wondering if anyone has seen this issue or has any ideas on how to fix
it.   We have hull number 32.   Every time it rains water streams down the
compression post under the deck step.   I had a marine surveyor look at
it.   He detected high moisture readings in the deck in front on the mast.
He suspected that the 320 has a marine ply core in this area (can anyone
confirm this?).   I am planning to remove the mast at near the end of the
season to try and figure out where the water is getting in.   Any advice
would be appreciated.