I recently bought a used laser. It's a '98 hull which is in fantastic shape. The owner claimed that he only sailed it a few times. Judging by the condition of everything, I had no reason to doubt him. When I picked up the boat I didn't have a flashlight with me, and given the overall condition and the fact that the boat had recently been washed and that water was still in the mast step I figured I'd take my chances and check things when I got home. I did check the inside of the hull for water, but there was none. It looked as though the drain plug had never been opened.
When I got home and actually looked into the mast step, I was horrified at what I saw. The gel coat is chipped in several places on the sides near the bottom. It's as though someone stuffed the mast into the hole with several small rocks near and sailed in heavy air.
There's no leak, so I'm disinclined to replace the entire mast step. I am considering using Marine Tex to try and patch things. It will require some rigging with long sticks, but I think I can do it. I'd probably then use some sort of sealant and get teflon strips for the base of the mast to ease wear in the future.
Anyone have any suggestions or ideas?
When I got home and actually looked into the mast step, I was horrified at what I saw. The gel coat is chipped in several places on the sides near the bottom. It's as though someone stuffed the mast into the hole with several small rocks near and sailed in heavy air.
There's no leak, so I'm disinclined to replace the entire mast step. I am considering using Marine Tex to try and patch things. It will require some rigging with long sticks, but I think I can do it. I'd probably then use some sort of sealant and get teflon strips for the base of the mast to ease wear in the future.
Anyone have any suggestions or ideas?