Wooden Mast Wedges

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

Throughout the year (boat purchased last October), I've noticed these wooden wedges laying on the cabin floor at the base of the mast after sailing. A few times, I have taken a mallet and put some back in from cabin side upward into the space where the mast goes through. I never really looked up there before they fell out. So, I don't know what the exact configuration was to start. Obviously, when I put a wider wedge in place, the slimmer wedges fall out right away. Even when I get a couple of the bigger wedges to stay in place wedged in pretty good, they are back out after sailing (from movement that sail tension puts on the mast). Always though, there have been two sturdy wedges, one to port and one to starboard, that have never come out, and they appear to be up high in the space and wedged in from the top (I have never messed with the mast collar and inspected from above since I don't want to break what ain't broken). Am I missing something here? Are all these wedges necessary? Comments/advice?

Tortuga's Lie · **Joined:** 27 Oct 2006 10:32 **Posts:** 827

Zach,
yes, the wedges are important. They keep the mast snug in the collar and keep it from abrading against the collar as the rig moves under sail. Those wooden wedges are most likely not original to your Tartan. Tartan used 2 semi-dense rubber mats, about 1/2" thick by 3-4" tall by about 6" long wrapped around the mast and held in place by a stainless hose clamp above the mast collar and covered by the boot. Here's a link to Brian Toss's recommendation: http://www.briontoss.com/spartalk/showthread.php?p=7271

Wooden wedges are very common and should be inserted from above with the fat part facing up and they should wrap around the mast all the way to prevent movement and any pressure points. If yours are falling down, they are not installed correctly.

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zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

Thanks. I'll have a look at it from above when I'm back at the boat this weekend. Haven't really examined the boot from the top. Hoping removing is easy and self explanatory?

Velera · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2006 09:38 **Posts:** 656

Hall spars sells a neoprene band that fits around the mast at the partners and precludes the need for wedges. Some folks use Spartite, but I took that off my mast as it made stepping and unstepping a nightmare. I think I paid $25 for a couple feet of the stuff. Much better than wedges. As has been mentioned, it is important to secure the mast relative to the partners.

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

Any link or more info on the neoprene band from Hall Spars? I searched around on their site a good bit and couldn't find it. Thanks, Zach

Velera · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2006 09:38 **Posts:** 656

Just call them. Their number on the website is 401-253-4858. The stuff works very well and saves a lot of hassle if you unstep and restep your mast periodically.

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

Gave them a call and got some ordered. I'm sure I can figure it out once I get my hands on it, but any advice on exactly what I am doing is appreciated. Cutting one big section or small pieces sort of like the wedges, etc?

Velera · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2006 09:38 **Posts:** 656

I think it will be obvious. You just wrap the stuff around the mast with the ridge on top facing out over the partner fitting. Hope you ordered a couple feet as that is what you will need to get around. Don't cut it. It is one piece and the break is at the aft slot in your mast. Very simple to install--if your mast is up, you might need to loosen the rigging to remove those wooden wedges and insert the gasket. Works great. If you pull your mast and reinstall it you just put the stuff in the hole and slide the mast into it. You can use a rubber hammer to convince it to go in place if you have an issue.

Tortuga's Lie · **Joined:** 27 Oct 2006 10:32 **Posts:** 827

To help out persuading the rubber mat to slide in, you can lube it up with a little dishwashing liquid and you can also wrap a line around the mast and pull the mast aft a little using your primary winches. If you need to pull the mast forward a bit, either the windlass or run a block forward and then run a line through this block then back aft to the primaries. I had to do this a little because the clearance between the mast and the partner was a bit on the tight side. Once in place, I have a large hose clamp holding it in place. By the way, I have two pieces of the rubber mat and they almost touch on the sides....two would probably be easier to install than fighting one.

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

Thanks guys. That is what I was thinking. Will report back once I get it done.

Tartan37.com

Wooden Mast Wedges

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