• Welcome to this website/forum for people interested in the Morgan 38 Sailboat. Many of our members are 'owners' of Morgan 38s, but you don't need to be an owner to Register/Join.

Mast Boot

jimcleary

James M. Cleary
The mast boot on Dana is failing. Over the years we've tried a number of options. I think the ultra violet light simply breaks down the material. Does anyone have a recommendation for a replacement that works and will last more than a few years?

Jim
 
Jim,
I used a plastic mast boot that I had to cut to put around the mast. I am not sure of the name brand but I have had it on for 7 years without any issues.
 
We cover our standard rubber boot with a cirular piece of sunbrella that ties on top and bottom with drawstrings. We also periodically spray it with water repellant stuff just as an added preventative.
 
I used the SSI Universal Mast Boot followed by wrapping clear "rescue tape" round the boot near the top. I foolishly did not replace the boot when I dropped the mast last year, but the rescue tape has provided compete protection. Top and bottom hose clamps finished it off. You can cut the SSI boot and put it on a mast without pulling it, and I have a spare now waiting in case I drop the mast again, but so far, so good. OTOH here are things in my mast that I expect I'll be messing with down the road, or when I bring the boat back to Superior.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|118|2358532|2358538&id=75482
 
Tommy
The section of our masts are 9" fore & aft x 6" port & stbd. I'm not sure what that is in circumference. Next time I'm out I'll measure with a tape measure. My most recent mast boot is one of the SSI boots, like Rolf's, that was cut to fit around the mast. Over time I added mast boot tape in various amounts. The sun has taken it's toll and I'll most likely repeat that process. Unless someone has a better solution. I do like Ken's idea of a sunbrella cover over the boot. That will certainly be a winter project on the sewing machine.

Jim
 
Tom: I'll try and measure it tomorrow.
Jim: Have used a car inner tube for many years. Tube around mast, hose clamp at upper part, tube folded down over hose clamp, tube cut to fit mast and down to deck area. tube joint sealed with silicone facing aft. second hose clamp at deck area secured to deck flange holding tube there. Piece of sunbrella cut to cover ugly hose and sealed with Velcro facing aft, matches dodger and sail cover. Is many years old.

Dick
 
Dick
That's a great idea! I like it. Tomorrow I'll call my car mechanic to see if car inner tubes are still available. I haven't seen one of those in years. And the sunbrella cover is perfect. I'm very glad I posted this question.

Jim
 
Tommy
Another great idea. There is a Grainger's near me. If an inner tube can't be found, I'll try them.

Jim
 
i use the same idea as Rolf and than i have a sunbrella cover. The cover goes on inside out and above the deck 12 inches than i use a large SS hose clamp around the Sunbrella and mast tight than dress the cover over the clamp hiding it. A little GOOP around the edge of mast to Sunbrella the bottom of the skirt flairs at the deck and Has velcro tabbed to it self . I too put water proofing on it once a year just like i do on all my canvas. The Florida sun will get you and your canvas if you do not attend to it .
 
I grab some of the abundant shrink wrap available in the spring, and shrink it into place around the mast and deck collar. Then tape the top edge. Hide the it all with a Sunbrella boot that has snaps and a top & bottom rope. Works pretty well. Grab extra shrink wrap, as you can easily burn through it.
Dave
 
Tom: "Vixen's" hull #74 38-2 mast circumference measures 25.5 inches, using string and measuring it.

Dick
 
I pulled my mast in March and found the match to the original boot on www.rigrite.com
Was not cheap but it's perfect

Mast Boot for Morgan 335, 36T, 382, & 383: Morgan-335MB:
Mast Boot to fit Oval Mast Section (9" x 6 3/8") and Morgan raised Deck Collar. Hard molded white PVC Mast Boot is 3 1/4" high x 12 3/4" long. As used on Morgan 335, 36T, 382, & 383.
 
The mast boot on Dana is failing. Over the years we've tried a number of options. I think the ultra violet light simply breaks down the material. Does anyone have a recommendation for a replacement that works and will last more than a few years?

Jim
I pulled my mast in March and found the match to the original boot on www.rigrite.com
Was not cheap but it's perfect

Mast Boot for Morgan 335, 36T, 382, & 383: Morgan-335MB:
Mast Boot to fit Oval Mast Section (9" x 6 3/8") and Morgan raised Deck Collar. Hard molded white PVC Mast Boot is 3 1/4" high x 12 3/4" long. As used on Morgan 335, 36T, 382, & 383.

1lostbouy, A moment agoEditDeleteReport
#14Reply
 
That's the one I have. I didn't pull the mast to install it so I had to split it and then repair the split. It has lasted for about seven years.
 
I made a mast boot using EPDM rubber roofing, which is flexible, made for sun exposure and keeping water out. The 60 mil thickness was available at the local lumber yard in 10 ft wide rolls. They cut a piece off the roll about 2 ft x 10 ft and charged less than 20 bucks. I used some cheap plastic sheeting to make a pattern, took a few tries to get the fit. Since I installed it when the mast was up there was a seam so I overlapped several inches and glued the seam together with Geocell 4500. That is an adhesive for EPDM roofing and comes in a tube for a caulking gun, about $7 at the lumber yard or on Amazon. So far the boot has worked several seasons and I have plenty more rubber left over for a couple more boots.
 
What great ideas have evolved from this thread. The hard part will be deciding which one to use. I have a roofing supply place nearby. I'll check out Stephen's EPDM tomorrow. Thanks to all!

Jim
 
Just got a quote from Rigrite for mast boot for my morgan - The description in quote was
Mast Boot, Morgan 335, 382, 9063 Oval z -NLA - use MBT B5-72
The lady said "we don't have it" from the tone of her voice it sounded she just wanted to get off the phone. I tried to ask if its discontinued. Didn't really get a straight answer. Ended up ordering the universal boot from another company, but I'm planning to order the spartite wedge kit system. Thanks @mpearson!
 
Tom: I'll try and measure it tomorrow.
Jim: Have used a car inner tube for many years. Tube around mast, hose clamp at upper part, tube folded down over hose clamp, tube cut to fit mast and down to deck area. tube joint sealed with silicone facing aft. second hose clamp at deck area secured to deck flange holding tube there. Piece of sunbrella cut to cover ugly hose and sealed with Velcro facing aft, matches dodger and sail cover. Is many years old.

Dick
I do the same thing. The shape of a tire tube when cut works out the the exact correct shape to have a different circumference top and bottom. It's very simple and effective.
 
I just wrap white 6 inch shrinkwrap tape around the mast and deck flange, quick and easy,
lasts all season and doesn't leak.
 
I just bought a mast boot from Waterboot. They have 382 dimensions already. It comes highly recommended and fit quite well. Our collar is a little strange. I held held the rubber boot down around the collar with small diameter bungee cord. Outside of the rubber boot I have a blue cloth cover. waterboot.com
 
Rigrite is the rudest company i have ever known. I have no clue how they stay in business with that lady answering their phone.
Yeah, I've known them to be that way for at least 12 years. Both of my boats have used Kenyon spars, so I've been arguing with them for longer than I'd like. Their customer service has been panned in numerous places across the internet. They're certainly not doing themselves any favors by keeping her on. She must the owner/owner's wife/owner's daughter.
 
Same experience here. I was trying to get some hatch dogs they had. I felt like I was nearly told to "just go away". It's amazing. Worthless company and service.
 
I too tried to give them my money, but they made it clear that they did not want it. I have no idea how they remain in business.
 
Same experience here. I was trying to get some hatch dogs they had. I felt like I was nearly told to "just go away". It's amazing. Worthless company and service.
Wow. I was told that I don't know what I am doing and they did not want to waste any more time with me. In another exchange, I was told that I don't have an understanding of how to measure. I replied, "I've had a bit of engineering in my past and the I feel competent enough to know that the dominions that were posted on their site were off from what I measured". Paraphrasing their reply, "I must have gone to a horrible university". This was two years ago and my blood is boiling just thinking about that experience!
 
Back
Top