Spar Tite is not a sealant. After installation it shrinks slightly and
will allow water to run down the mast. I use liquid BoatLife. Works
perfectly, also on the chain plates, because it flows readily into every
chink.

Not true. We intalled a Spartite systems 4 years ago and have
yet to have a leak.. It is as tight as when it was installed both around the
spar and around the collar. If it leaks soon after intallation, I suspect
that the surfaces were not prepared properly or the temperature
was not within range. Once the mast is pulled, I would not be
surprised if it does not seal totally.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
Spar Tite is not a sealant. After installation it shrinks slightly and
will allow water to run down the mast. I use liquid BoatLife. Works
perfectly, also on the chain plates, because it flows readily into every
chink.

In article ,
says...


Not true. We intalled a Spartite systems 4 years ago and have
yet to have a leak..

(Snip)

I am happy for your exceptional experience.

Nonetheless, keep theBoatLife handy.

In article ,
says...


Not true. We intalled a Spartite systems 4 years ago and have
yet to have a leak..

(Snip)

I am happy for your exceptional experience.

Nonetheless, keep theBoatLife handy.

Comments Below:

"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
Not true. We intalled a Spartite systems 4 years ago and have
yet to have a leak.. It is as tight as when it was installed both around
the
spar and around the collar. If it leaks soon after intallation, I suspect
that the surfaces were not prepared properly or the temperature
was not within range. Once the mast is pulled, I would not be
surprised if it does not seal totally.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
Spar Tite is not a sealant. After installation it shrinks slightly and
will allow water to run down the mast. I use liquid BoatLife. Works
perfectly, also on the chain plates, because it flows readily into every
chink.


Here are answers to some of your questions. Hope this helps.

The following is from Spartite's FAQ at:
http://www.spartite.com/faq/index.htm

THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

1. We un-step our spar every winter. How do I get my spar out if I poured
SPARTITE?

Because SPARTITE will adhere to anything and everything that has not been
coated with a release barrier, i.e. Vaseline/petroleum jelly, pulling the
mast is either hard or easy if you followed the directions. Make sure you
put a light but complete coat of petroleum jelly on everything you don't
want Spartite to adhere to, especially the inside of the collar. Make sure
before you pour, that SPARTITE won't flow into any indentations in the
collar or seams, like where the deck meets the aluminum deck collar if you
have one. Use some of the modeling clay to fair out any suspicious spots.
Also, if the partner wall surface is very rough you might want to sand it or
use a liberal amount of petroleum jelly until you can't detect the texture.
We have heard of people using PAM or vegetable spray with good results. We
think this is probably true but we stand by petroleum jelly-as we need to
add no caveats. It works -always. Whatever you do don't use a SILICONE
lubricant.

2. I poured SPARTITE and there is still water that occasionally trickles
down the mast when it rains. What did I do wrong and how can I fix it?

You probably did nothing wrong. SPARTITE shrinks a .001 of an inch over 1
inch when not adhering to a surface. Depending on how thick the Vaseline
coating was, SPARTITE will move away from the surfaces you coated. This gap
can be filled with LIFE SEAL (by BOATLIFE) or other polyurethane caulk. Do
not use silicone it will not adhere to SPARTITE. Also remember to clean the
mast and collar of all Vaseline, dirt or other oils that may have collected
before you run that bead of caulk.

3. I did that, but the leak persists.

If you consistently change the back stay pressure or bend your mast, this
may just be something you have to live with. SPARTITE is first and foremost
a mast wedge replacement system that helps seal the mast at the partners. A
solution that is addressed in the instructions calls for setting the rig in
its greatest flexed position, i.e. going to weather before you make the
sub-floor and pour SPARTITE.

--
Ken Heaton & Anne Tobin
Cape Breton Island, Canada
kenheaton AT ess wye dee DOT eastlink DOT ca

Doug, what is the viscosity of the mixed spartite? Watery, 30 wt oil?
syrupy? What is the pot life of the mix?


On Fri, 9 Apr 2004 19:46:47 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Not true. We intalled a Spartite systems 4 years ago and have
yet to have a leak.. It is as tight as when it was installed both around the
spar and around the collar. If it leaks soon after intallation, I suspect
that the surfaces were not prepared properly or the temperature
was not within range. Once the mast is pulled, I would not be
surprised if it does not seal totally.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
Spar Tite is not a sealant. After installation it shrinks slightly and
will allow water to run down the mast. I use liquid BoatLife. Works
perfectly, also on the chain plates, because it flows readily into every
chink.

I honestly don't remember. Fairly thin I think. Don;t remember
the pot life.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Marc" wrote in message
...
Doug, what is the viscosity of the mixed spartite? Watery, 30 wt oil?
syrupy? What is the pot life of the mix?


On Fri, 9 Apr 2004 19:46:47 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Not true. We intalled a Spartite systems 4 years ago and have
yet to have a leak.. It is as tight as when it was installed both around
the
spar and around the collar. If it leaks soon after intallation, I suspect
that the surfaces were not prepared properly or the temperature
was not within range. Once the mast is pulled, I would not be
surprised if it does not seal totally.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
Spar Tite is not a sealant. After installation it shrinks slightly and
will allow water to run down the mast. I use liquid BoatLife. Works
perfectly, also on the chain plates, because it flows readily into
every
chink.

I honestly don't remember. Fairly thin I think. Don;t remember
the pot life.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Marc" wrote in message
...
Doug, what is the viscosity of the mixed spartite? Watery, 30 wt oil?
syrupy? What is the pot life of the mix?


On Fri, 9 Apr 2004 19:46:47 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Not true. We intalled a Spartite systems 4 years ago and have
yet to have a leak.. It is as tight as when it was installed both around
the
spar and around the collar. If it leaks soon after intallation, I suspect
that the surfaces were not prepared properly or the temperature
was not within range. Once the mast is pulled, I would not be
surprised if it does not seal totally.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
Spar Tite is not a sealant. After installation it shrinks slightly and
will allow water to run down the mast. I use liquid BoatLife. Works
perfectly, also on the chain plates, because it flows readily into
every
chink.

Comments Below:

"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
Not true. We intalled a Spartite systems 4 years ago and have
yet to have a leak.. It is as tight as when it was installed both around
the
spar and around the collar. If it leaks soon after intallation, I suspect
that the surfaces were not prepared properly or the temperature
was not within range. Once the mast is pulled, I would not be
surprised if it does not seal totally.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
Spar Tite is not a sealant. After installation it shrinks slightly and
will allow water to run down the mast. I use liquid BoatLife. Works
perfectly, also on the chain plates, because it flows readily into every
chink.


Here are answers to some of your questions. Hope this helps.

The following is from Spartite's FAQ at:
http://www.spartite.com/faq/index.htm

THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

1. We un-step our spar every winter. How do I get my spar out if I poured
SPARTITE?

Because SPARTITE will adhere to anything and everything that has not been
coated with a release barrier, i.e. Vaseline/petroleum jelly, pulling the
mast is either hard or easy if you followed the directions. Make sure you
put a light but complete coat of petroleum jelly on everything you don't
want Spartite to adhere to, especially the inside of the collar. Make sure
before you pour, that SPARTITE won't flow into any indentations in the
collar or seams, like where the deck meets the aluminum deck collar if you
have one. Use some of the modeling clay to fair out any suspicious spots.
Also, if the partner wall surface is very rough you might want to sand it or
use a liberal amount of petroleum jelly until you can't detect the texture.
We have heard of people using PAM or vegetable spray with good results. We
think this is probably true but we stand by petroleum jelly-as we need to
add no caveats. It works -always. Whatever you do don't use a SILICONE
lubricant.

2. I poured SPARTITE and there is still water that occasionally trickles
down the mast when it rains. What did I do wrong and how can I fix it?

You probably did nothing wrong. SPARTITE shrinks a .001 of an inch over 1
inch when not adhering to a surface. Depending on how thick the Vaseline
coating was, SPARTITE will move away from the surfaces you coated. This gap
can be filled with LIFE SEAL (by BOATLIFE) or other polyurethane caulk. Do
not use silicone it will not adhere to SPARTITE. Also remember to clean the
mast and collar of all Vaseline, dirt or other oils that may have collected
before you run that bead of caulk.

3. I did that, but the leak persists.

If you consistently change the back stay pressure or bend your mast, this
may just be something you have to live with. SPARTITE is first and foremost
a mast wedge replacement system that helps seal the mast at the partners. A
solution that is addressed in the instructions calls for setting the rig in
its greatest flexed position, i.e. going to weather before you make the
sub-floor and pour SPARTITE.

--
Ken Heaton & Anne Tobin
Cape Breton Island, Canada
kenheaton AT ess wye dee DOT eastlink DOT ca

Doug, what is the viscosity of the mixed spartite? Watery, 30 wt oil?
syrupy? What is the pot life of the mix?


On Fri, 9 Apr 2004 19:46:47 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Not true. We intalled a Spartite systems 4 years ago and have
yet to have a leak.. It is as tight as when it was installed both around the
spar and around the collar. If it leaks soon after intallation, I suspect
that the surfaces were not prepared properly or the temperature
was not within range. Once the mast is pulled, I would not be
surprised if it does not seal totally.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
Spar Tite is not a sealant. After installation it shrinks slightly and
will allow water to run down the mast. I use liquid BoatLife. Works
perfectly, also on the chain plates, because it flows readily into every
chink.