Hello, I have a Freedom 21 but I think this question may apply to most Freedom boats. Checking the boat after TS Elsa this morning, I noticed some significant leaking around where the mast comes through the deck.
My best guess is that the mast boot isn’t forming a perfect seal with the mast and the water is running down the side of the mast into the boat. My collar looks like this:
My instinct is lift up the collar, add a bead of silicone, slide the collar down and re-tighten it to ensure a good seal. However, I don’t see any traces of silicone already present there so it must not have ever been done in the past. Is that the best solution?
Alternatively I’m considering replacing the boot, but it seems to be in good condition and I doubt a replacement will be cheap since I’ll have to get rig-rite to make one.
Hi Ian, I have a similar setup although with a jubilee style clip around the collar. Mine seals perfectly without silicone. However I do not see any issue with using silicone f yours is leaking. How often will you be unstepping your mast? I have done that every season so far hence my reluctance to use it before trying without.
I have used wide rescue tape - very much like mast boot tape to seal that area. Start wrapping tightly from the bottom - right at deck level - and work your way up until you’re wrapping just around the mast. Once you use silicone, if you need to pull the mast you’ll have a very difficult time getting sealant to stick there again.
That’s a cool idea - I love finding out about products I never knew I didn’t know about! I might try adding a layer of that tape over or under the existing boot.
[quote=iansan5653 post_id=53756 time=1625681921 user_id=6308] I doubt a replacement will be cheap since I’ll have to get rig-rite to make one.
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No you won’t. I used flexible drainage pipe connectors. Details in this thread:
Thanks all for the help - it looks like the rescue tape is going to work perfectly. It forms a wonderful seal around the top edge of the boot: https://photos.app.goo.gl/EdUrda2ADe9whYJA8 (sorry, image too large to upload here). I then reinstalled the hose clamp on top of that and I have complete confidence in it. My only concern is how it will hold up to UV, but I don’t mind replacing it every couple months if necessary - the tape was not expensive.
[quote=newt2u post_id=53773 time=1626017500 user_id=6215]
…and pulling the mast on an F21 is pretty easy.
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I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. How easy is it? Is it doable without hauling the boat out and without a crane? I feel like a couple of strong, tall people might be able to handle it without any equipment but I’m not sure and I don’t want anyone to get hurt.
Hello Ian,
You can certainly un-step the mast with some strong tall friends, provided they are 12 feet tall.
A better bet would be to fabricate an A-frame that extends well above the center of gravity of the mast. Remember you have to attach the noose above the center of gravity and then you have to be able to hoist that point for the length of the mast section below the deck. I have done this many times on F25’s, and even on my F28 CK. If desired, you could lower the center of gravity by strapping weights to the mast just above the deck, but there should be no need for this on a Freedom 21.
as I said, on the F21 it is easy. I would say two people are required, although I have done it by myself once. I have a A-frame made from aluminium right angle form, 50x50mm by 5mm thick and 5m in length bolted together at the top. Others have used 2x2" timber and a hinge at the top. You need a pulley system, mine has 4:1 purchase, double block up top and single becket below. I use the mainsheet turn block on the deck and bring the end back to the winch. I have guys to support the A frame, 2 forward and 2 aft, and swivel feet at the base. I tie each foot to the Stanchion base to stop fore and aft movement and have a strop from one to the other to constrain the width between them.
You can see the set up in these pics.
I use another strop from the boom attachment going up the mast with a loop around the mast at its end where I attach the pulley, sorry can not measure the length right now as its onboard and I’m away from the boat. This is a bit lower than the CoG but it does not require much effort to balance the foot of the mast and I find that more manageable to have to keep a bit of downward pressure on the foot, rather than having it balanced. To step and unstep, lift the mast with foot to the stern, which should clear the cabin roof with the dimensions I have given. Make sure the apex of the A-frame is over the mast’s deck hole, perhaps slightly aft by about the mast’s diameter, as when vertical it will be forward of the apex.
I have never done it afloat and I would not recommend it, you really need a stable platform.
Thanks, that’s great info! I appreciate the detailed description and pictures, especially as my friends are not quite 12 ft tall . I’m considering eventually getting a trailer for mine (shoal draft) so I guess it’s probably worth putting in the time to build an a-frame.
You know, I hadn’t actually considered that possibility as it wasn’t marketed with the hinge when I bought it. Now that you mention it, it kind of looks like it might - there’s a joint at the deck and the entire mast below that point is aluminum, and there’s two bolts on the mast in about the same location as I see from a quick Google Image search. I never really looked closely at those since the mast was repaired (sleeved) at the gooseneck in the past - just assumed they were related to that.
Interesting… so if your mast doesn’t go all the way down into the cabin then it’s definitely not like the pictures with the a-frame.
Here’s a picture of my “knee” (sorry I don’t have any other closer shots)
It looks like yours has it too. Theoretically it’s possible for one person to do it by themselves. Look up my past posts, I’ve uploaded the instructions on how to do it before.
. I’m considering eventually getting a trailer for mine (shoal draft) so I guess it’s probably worth putting in the time to build an a-frame.
