Really enjoying my new foil. Has brought my proning to a new (comfortably intermediate) level. Unlike my old slingshot setup however, the mast leaks/holds a ton of water. Supposedly not uncommon.

I did look around on other posts that revealed both successful & unsuccessful attempts at sealing it.
- Simple bathroom silicone (Additional suggestion was pushing a small sponge in for silicone to form a base against)
- Using marine putty stuff (2 parts mix together to go off)
- Don't bother....deal with it...or just upgrade the 2018 SS with the (very complimented) 2019 76/84cm wing

I saw the gong foil offers mast plugs....good Idea...but not an option on my current one.

Just wondering who has done with success....and not? Sincere thanks to learn from your experiences.

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stevet73 said..
Really enjoying my new foil. Has brought my proning to a new (comfortably intermediate) level. Unlike my old slingshot setup however, the mast leaks/holds a ton of water. Supposedly not uncommon.

I did look around on other posts that revealed both successful & unsuccessful attempts at sealing it.
- Simple bathroom silicone (Additional suggestion was pushing a small sponge in for silicone to form a base against)
- Using marine putty stuff (2 parts mix together to go off)
- Don't bother....deal with it...or just upgrade the 2018 SS with the (very complimented) 2019 76/84cm wing

I saw the gong foil offers mast plugs....good Idea...but not an option on my current one.

Just wondering who has done with success....and not? Sincere thanks to learn from your experiences.

Bathroom silicone worked for me.

What would be really annoying for me - would be water stuck in the mast that wouldn't come out

Thanks guys. So far, score is 1/1 .....do/don't....

Silicone is made to keep water out.

If you do it properly, the chance of water getting in is pretty much zero.
If you don't do it properly, it's only silicone...

Just get up in there with a drill or blade, drain it and seal it again.

I'm an impatient bugger....so I just did it. Stuffed some foam down all holes for the silicone to back up against (as one post suggested)....

....then squirted away...threaded the screws in/out before clean up....


Fingers crossed....

Very nice, much neater than mine. I'm sure it'll work perfectly.

Let me know if you notice a big difference. I've never sealed my Naish mast in a year and a half. I'm wondering if sealing my mast and cutting down my tail will keep me amped so I don't have to buy new gear.

Thanks for the inspiration clamsmasha.

Hdip, foil really goes well but just so annoying to have to empty each session...if this works it will definitely keep me frothing on it for a while....

Sorry can't seem to post any other way except from original FB site

www.facebook.com/GreyPaddleboards/videos/2403216713119144/

Chances are it will still leak and then be almost imposible to get water out, so no from me

If you clean the surface well it shouldn't leak. 90% alcohol works just make sure it's perfectly clean. 15mm thick of contact area with *fresh* sealant (100% Silicon or construction sealant...) should do the trick.

If you want the best sealant use Goop. You have to wait 48 hours allowing it fully cure before getting it wet. Using Goop will guarantee it won't leak. Goop will outlast the mast and bonds like crazy.

I did exactly the same sealing job. Clean with alcohol. Foam plugs. 15mm Sikaflex marine sealant.

In cold water the air inside contracted and dislodged the sealant and water got in. It was pretty easy to push the plugs out with a length of dowel and clean it all up.

I think the mineral spirits idea is a good one. (Watch the video.). That and giving it a good 20-30 mm like Charlie lays out should be better than a small layer of non-diluted silicone.

I did this some months ago with expanding foam stuffed down and topped up about 7-10mm of silicone. 100% watertight. But the screw seems to leak just enough through the threads?? The pressure must have gotten the best out of it. Thats mine experience. Please let me know if anyone gets a better result.

Super interesting that some have just squirted in silicone and it's held whilst others done a lot of prep and it's failed...so glad I've floated the question.

I do have a back up plan. I am due to go a 70cm mast....so that will replace the current siliconed one....if it fails...

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anders884 said..
I did this some months ago with expanding foam stuffed down and topped up about 7-10mm of silicone. 100% watertight. But the screw seems to leak just enough through the threads?? The pressure must have gotten the best out of it. Thats mine experience. Please let me know if anyone gets a better result.

The screw channels won't be water proof unless you jam som silicone down beyond the reach of the screws. I did that and worked, but had the added benefit of working like Tefgel or the like.

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Clamsmasha said..

anders884 said..
I did this some months ago with expanding foam stuffed down and topped up about 7-10mm of silicone. 100% watertight. But the screw seems to leak just enough through the threads?? The pressure must have gotten the best out of it. Thats mine experience. Please let me know if anyone gets a better result.

The screw channels won't be water proof unless you jam som silicone down beyond the reach of the screws. I did that and worked, but had the added benefit of working like Tefgel or the like.

Copy that! Will do another attempt to seal it

I pushed my sponge "backing plates" in about 2-3cm in the general mast holes but about 6cm on the screw holes....to still get same 2-3cm seal below the thread....screwed the threads twice immediately after injection...

First session since sealing. Appears to have worked....have to see how it holds over time....but loads better....