Discoloration @ Bottom of Mast

[Cloroxbottle]

Any idea of what this is? I haven't seen discolored aluminium like this before. I'm guessing it shouldn't be rust?

[The Yacht Rigger]

Originally Posted by Cloroxbottle

Any idea of what this is? I haven't seen discolored aluminium like this before. I'm guessing it shouldn't be rust?

Can you take some pictures in better light? It almost looks like epoxy/resin.

[neilpride]

I think discoloration, if it is discoloration, is the least of your problems.

There is something else here.

[Cheechako]

too dark to tell, but it appears to be someone's attempt at preventing corrosion at the deck fitting.

[MicHughV]

That's my take too...somebody smeared some type of epoxy around the bottom of that mast...trying to hide, conceal, remedy, something ??

That needs a closer look. Could be a serious problem there...maybe...??

I see a black mast boot there as well, maybe the boot was leaking and the epoxy used to seal the gap ??....I'm guessing here..

I also note the bottom of the spinaker pole is lashed to the mast with a double length of line....

Maybe all three things are related... ??

Nonetheless, I'd have this looked at.....

[Cloroxbottle]

Here's another view with better lighting. It's one of these "advertised on the internet, wondering if it's worth the drive to take a look at it" deals. If it's just epoxy on the base of the mast to MacGuyver a boot replacement/leak that's one thing. If it's going to require a new mast, quite another.

[MicHughV]

Well, normally, the mast boot is held against the mast with a large s/s hose clamp, which I don't see.... ???
There are some variations to this clamp design, but, regardless, none is to be seen.

At this point, I take it the mast is keel stepped...maybe something can be learned by looking at the mast from inside the boat ???