Try using 3M 4200 next time. Both are polyurethane sealants but Sikaflex is
listed for concrete use. The 3M product lists 300 lbs. per square inch
adhesion so it should keep the caps from shifting and breaking the seal.
I figure if I'm turtled or capsized for all that long a leaky mast is down the list of issues. I think it's pretty watertight though.
Some recurrent intrusion would take place as the mast step fills with "splash-water".Never had one sealed. Have always drilled a hole in bottom mast cap and let it drain.
. A racquetball weighs 1.4 ounces so I am not concerned about the weight.Racquet balls are heavy (where you don't want weight), so why not seal one half at each end, and retain the hole in the bottom cap?
Now that I think of it, a damaged (by cutting) racquet ball would probably allow water to seep through it.. A racquetball weighs 1.4 ounces so I am not concerned about the weight.
The lack of a sleeve makes no difference in 99.9 percent of cases. If you sail in 20 plus knots and both hike and sheet like a madman you might be able to bend it if you tried to, but typically that does not happen!!
I would have liked to have had the sleeve when the wind freshened, I headed back to shallow water, stood somewhat protected by shoreline trees, holding onto my Sunfish bow handle, watched as my racing sail tore along the luff--then the foot--then my rig and mast folded over into the water. At that time, I let go of the boat, and got out of the water.Thanks. Do you have any thoughts on the absence of the “reinforcement sleeve”?