Water in mast

Hi folks,

I have a 96 wave that I keep rigged up all the time on the beach. I sailed her this saturday and disassembled her for transport to the wave regatta in Sandy Hook Bay next weekend. When I took the mast down I felt like it was totally full of water. I know I have had water entering before and I tried to address the problem by drilling a 1/8" hole about six inches from the bottom of the mast. Apparently this is not enough. Should I drill a larger hole? higher up? drill through the top of the mast where the comp tip enters and invert the mast to drain it? I'm at a loss. And on top of all that my starboard is taking on about two gallons of water in four hours of rough water sailing. I can't find any leaks!!!! I hate boats!!! damnit, I should stick to motorcycles and take my broken legs in stride. -Jason

Don't go back to bikes. I was a crazed cafe racer that thought nothing of cruising at 100 mph+. After avoiding two high speed crashes by inches (those that did collide suffered lotsa road rash and destroyed bikes), I decided that it was time to move on. One ride on an H16 showed me the proper direction.

You'll figure out your mast/water problem in short order and be back on the water. Way mo' bettah that being laid up with broken limbs. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

How would you get water in a Wave mast? And even if you do, why can't you just take the mast apart and dump it out? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I think the water (rain) is seeping in the top of the mast where the comp tip inserts. I can't take the mast apart and dump it out because if you look in the top of the mast it is sealed with expoxy or something similar. Designed, I assume, to keep water OUT!. -Jason

The plug is just below the CompTip joint. Water can pool on top of it. If the plug has failed or has a small leak, the mast can "pump" water into the inner area as the mast cools and heats. You may try to tip out the water, but the seal may not allow water out easily. You can jam a screwdriver into the plug or past it down the side to open up a drain, then re-seal well.

Matt,

I drilled the hole near the base of the mast to let the water weep out, it actually seems to have hurt the situation. I don't want to have to tip the mast over constantly. Can I 'ventilate' the mast safely? What purpose does the plug at the top of the mast serve? -Jason

Now I am very curious. How do you know that you have water in your mast? We have three Waves that are stored mast up all year round. I don't know whether there is water in my mast, but it hasn't occurred to me to care. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Take your mast down, disconnect it from the boat totally and tilt it back and forth longways. If you have water in it you'll hear it slosh from one end to the other. Plus the extra weight on mine was very evident. -Jason

Hi folks,

Me again. I took the time to weigh my mast with the water in it. Just the aluminum mast section weighs 32 lbs. I also took a picture of the hole I drilled. Apparently it is only two inches up not six like I remembered.

Well, I ended up at the wave race in NJ this weekend. Vic the commodore from fleet250 was kind enough to help me drill out my mast in a different place and lo and behold, she's a gusher! With the water out of the mast I felt an improvement in tacking ability. -Jaseun

Where did you drill the hole?

It is slightly below the downhaul cleat inside the track. I'll post a picture soon. -Jason

photo attached as promised -Jaseun