by Jon Deutsch

This is from the Laser Handbook regarding the mast: Page 30

19. (a) To prevent abrasion of the mast step, a tube or collar of uniform thickness not exceeding 1 mm may be placed around the entire circumference of the lower mast or the mast step cavity.  The tube or collar shall not extend more than 10 mm above deck level.

The wear strips are made of 1 mm of Teflon and go at the bottom of the lower mast section and at deck level.  They reduce friction between the mast and the step and keep the mast from turning black.  The Teflon strips are self-stick so no is glue involved.  They will need to be cut to the proper length to fit around the mast.  Keep in mind that the wear strips will wear out eventually and will do the same damage as an unprotected mast if left on for long enough.  When they start to loose their shine and are no longer smooth they should be replaced.  The wear strips on my boat (new summer '97) lasted two years of average use.  They are around $7 so they are definitely a good investment.  My mast step still looks almost like it did when I got it.

I found the scraps from the wear strips that I put in and they are indeed shiny.  They are 1 mm thick.  The directions that I have suggests putting the bottom strip even with the end plug (as you see in the picture at the far right) and the top strip so that the top of it is 14 1/4 inches from the bottom of the mast.  I would say use your judgment to place the top one so that 1/4 of and inch or less sticks out of the mast step when the mast is in place.  When installing the Teflon strips note that the mast comes in contact with the mast step along the back of the mast (boom side) at the top and touches along the front of the mast (non-boom side) at the base of the mast.  Because of this you will want the seam of the upper strip to face forward (non-boom side) and the seam of the lower strip to face backward (boom side).

I found the original directions for my Teflon strips. Click here for them.  Or if you have any other questions about these email me

If you look closely underneath the end of the mast you can see the mast step which is is in perfect condition.  Click on the image if it is too small.

Where to buy these:

Annapolis Performance Sailing web site: www.apsltd.com email: mail@apsltd.com phone: 1-800-729-9767, 410-268-3676, fax 1-800-729-9773, 410-268-0527 address: 110A Severn Avenue, Annapolis Maryland 21403 business hours: fall/winter mon - thur 9 am - 5 pm, Fri 9 am - 6 pm spring/summer mon & fri 9 am - 7 pm, tues - thur 9-5.  Closed weekends.	Colie Sails' Pro Shop web site: www.coliesail.com  (online ordering) Page with Wear Strips: http://www.coliesail.com/lsrprd.html  email: dev@coliesail.com phone: 1-800-481-4349, 732-892-4344, fax 732-899-8965 address: 1649 Bay Ave., Pt. Pleasant NJ 08742 business hours: Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm, Sat 9 am - 4 pm
Tackle Shack Water Sports web site: www.tshack.com email: tshack@ij.net phone:1-800-537-6099, 727-546-5080, fax 727-541-3478 address: 7801 66th Street North, Pinellas Park FL 33781-3478 business hours: Mon - Sat 9:30 am - 8 pm, Sun 11:30 am - 5:30 pm	Cat's Paw Boats web site: www.catspawboats.com email: shop@catspawboats.com phone: 1-877-779-2525, 360-779-8920, fax 360) 779-2881 address: 20714 State Highway 305 NE #3A Poulsbo, Washington  98370 business hours: Tues - Sat  10:30 am- 4:30 pm

If there is another dealer that sells these email me.

by Jon Deutsch
jon159785@yahoo.com

This article is mirrored with permission on Shevy Gunter's drLaser site (Article)