now i check my main and mizzen masts for step condition. they are keel stepped onto wood which is on concrete, so condition is in question for the moment– we will loook at them and at the wedges in main mast partners, assess and repair what is able to be fixed in water, and make for waters more south—figure out the locale needed for decent repairs if needed–replace wedges properly–and sail her..i generally use mizzen and jib, as main is HUGE, main boom being about 20 ft give or take a foot or two–long and heavy. is also difficult to douse in seas and weather, so i avoid that by advance prep–not using….
llooking forward to making way again– i donot like stagnation or waiting, and i waited all summer for weather to cool a tad so work can get one–now is time to work, then SAIL!!!!!!
checking masts….
05 Saturday Nov 2011
Posted in Crew
SK Solitary Bird 
If you have to replace the block your mast is stepped on you should use some of the chemical they use for pressure treated lumber. It is cheap, and available at the local hardware or Home Depot and prevents all kinds or rot and gunk for years. Unfortunately, I don’t think there is a material you can use between the cement and the step block that will last. Unless you wanted to try a peice of truck tire (cutout the tread to fit) under the block which would isolate the step block and mast from moisture wicked up by the cement.
i am researching what i can use here in mexico–i may be limited in what i am able to accomplish due to limited availabilities of products. i have a good facilitator who can find anything, so we continue …..your ides and suggestions are being taken into consideration. thankyou!
My next boat will be keel stepped too. I had no idea what to look for in regards to where it is fixed TO. Wow!! I still have so much to learn.
I’m right there with you on sailing W/O the main. When the “stuff” happens; and you are all by yourself; the prudent thing would be just take your time and GET there. maybe not as fast but you get there. That’s the part I want to hear.LOL
John
sailing on a lee shore is a nerve wracking experience- i try to get there— i know about the sudden winds that spring up on this ocean and on this coast, and i dont wish to prematurely lose anything like life, boat, cat, crew, so i play with caution in a sea of unknowns. is a kind of scary place, lee shore of a huge ocean with all the fetch from 3000 miles and more—- prevailing winds and currents make storms a tick not to meet..i try not to tax my guardian angels too much, nor risk the ire of sea gods….