Mast “boot”

We previously had a Freedom 30 and once the mast was stepped I would routinely put a bead of silicon between the collar and the mast as well as the base of the collar and the deck which worked well. Current Freedom 35 has similar but a rubber like collar that “slid” with difficulty from the base of the mast over the collar and then secured with a large hose clamp. I had to take that rubber like collar off and wondering can a simple bead of silicon a la 30 suffice or do I need a new rubber like collar. If so, where does one get one? Thanks!

I can’t speak for F30 30, but on the 4040, you definitely want to have a mast boot. You can obtain them at West Marine.

Made mine from the rubber roofers use for flat roofs
Cut a round circle with a Slightly ndersize hole
Slip this up the mast befor stepping then slid it into place

Hi there… on a different vessel with same issue, i used pond liner from a shop selling ponds, fountains etc. Heavy duty runbetised and slightly flexible…Cut it in a crescent shape…wrapoed it around mast which was in place, bead of silicone around top and silkaflex the overlap joint. Large junilee clip top and bottom. All good for past 7000 miles. Im earlier years i have used a section cut from a large wetsuit leg…thigh…section but had to slide up mast before mast install…