terry_thatcher
Terence Thatcher
I recently re-stepped my mast, after struggling to unstep it several months ago. The problem then was mast base corrosion and perhaps SparTite adhesion. As I look at the mast partners again, I see the SparTite problem. The partners have an aluminum cap. That creates a channel, sort of an indentation, that the SparTite fills, which then means it cannot easily slip up out of the partners. Before I restepped the mast, I should have filled that with polisulfide caulking, but I did not think of it in time. I don't think I can get in there now, with the mast in, to fill that void. Anyway, here is my question: I think I need to go back to wood wedges for the mast. Before I proceed, I wanted to know what others do to support and center the mast at the partners. If you use wood or rubber or plastic wedges, what kind of material (or species of wood) do you use. Thanks.