AES
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Info
  • AMH
    • Ericson Safety Pump
    • Spartite
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Info
  • AMH
    • Ericson Safety Pump
    • Spartite
  • Contact
Search

​Spartite

We supply Spartite by courier anywhere that couriers go.
We can help direct you to a retail outlet or rigger or you can use the buy-now below. Click on the right size of kit before adding to cart. We deliver free of charge in North and South Islands of New Zealand with tracking and cover. If you are overseas, we can obtain a quote for delivery. If you are not sure how much material you need then we are pleased to help advise, just email us with mast size, collar size, and type of yacht. Spartite is DG Class 9 and has dispensation to fly by DHL and others.
​
Picture
Spartite

Spartite is an easy to use, castable deck chock system which replaces the wedges or plastic block normally used to position yacht masts at deck level. Consisting of two pre-measured pots of liquid plastic, Spartite is poured into the gap between mast and partners and then left to cure. The resulting chock is a slightly flexible but permanent chock which can be re-used if the mast is removed. Major benefits of this system include a perfect fit to any shape mast and collar, exceptional ability to absorb and distribute mast loads without creating hard points, it will greatly reduce or eliminate leaking at the partners and it eliminates the worrisome experience of pumping or dropping a mast wedge out.

Spartite is offered in different sizes of kit depending on the volume to be filled. Kit1 and Kit 2 contains pre-measured pots of Spartite, detailed instructions, as well as plastic glove, pouring cup, closed cell foam strips, modelling clay, stirring stick etc. Kit 2 has two sets of tins in it and is twice the volume.. Kit 4 is four times the volume of  Kit 1 but is just for extra volume and is tins only without any instructions etc etc. Normally a smaller kit is used for setup and sealing and Kit 4 is used to build up additional volume typically on super yachts that need a lot.

Spartite will hold its own shape in as little as two hours after pouring. Spartite can be installed at temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius and will cure enough to go sailing in as little as 48 hours in 25 deg Celsius. At less than 10 degrees C curing is markedly slowed and a bare light bulb can often be used as a small heat source to keep things warm with minimal fire risk.
Part A tins have nitrogen in them and are best left closed until needed and then used completely.
As well as this information on Spartite, we have a colour brochure which we can send to you by post, please do not hesitate to ask for a copy to be posted.
PreparationOpening the kit Included: Spartite cans, Oil based modelling clay, Stirring stick, plastic gloves, closed cell foam strips, plastic pouring cups plus complete instructions which give fuller details than found here. What you will need which is NOT included: petroleum jelly, razor knife, paper towels, drop cloth, acetone, 50mm masking tape.

Make sure that the mast is positioned correctly in the deck. If necessary secure it against movement by tying it securely in position with rope, halyards or chocks. Make sure any chocks do not interfere with the deck hole area where the Spartite will be installed.

Do not assume tha the deck opening is centered over the mast step, Measure from the top of the (straight) mast to each side of the yacht (sheer) to ensure that the mast is centred athwartship. Your experience should determine the fore/aft rake and if in doubt consult your Designer, Rigger or Builder. You should only need to accurately position the mast once as Spartite will re-position the mast accurately for each successive stepping. Clean all surfaces that will come into contact with Spartite, removing old tape glue, grease, dirt and dust. The surface must be dry before proceeding.

Using the expanded foam, masking tape and clay, create a floor between the mast and deck opening at the depth that you want, in order to contain the liquid mix. The Spartite moulding should easily break out from the deck sides or collar when the mast is next removed from the yacht. Make sure the mast groove extrusion is also blocked making a seal.

For larger areas, use the foam to make a base and then cover this with strips of modelling clay to esnure a watertight fit and adjust for the correct height.

Take care to ensure that your mould will not allow Spartite to extend beyond the deck opening below deck, otherwise it will be impossible to remove the mast without having to cut the Spartite seal.

Smear petroleum jelly in the mould area, around the mast side and collar. This will release the Spartite mixture from the mould and ensure that the Spartite rig can be removed from the collar. It will also allow the mast to move vertically inside the collar, and important factor if you are using a mast jack to tension the rig.

Overlap short strips of the 50mm masking tape around the outside of the collar so that at least 25mm of the tape is above the rim of the collar creating a masking tape dam. This will be the top portion of the mould. Make sure that the tape is adhered to the collar with no openings along the collar’s perimeter.

Make sure all areas on both the deck and cabin floor are covered with drop cloth or newspaper or similar before proceeding to the mixing stage.
Estimating QuantityEstimate the quanity needed by measuring the square cm area of the mast section, and taking this away from the area of the deck opening. Multiply this by the desired depth (at least 6cm). If you run out, a further amount can be mixed and added later.

​Mixing
Open can A and can B. Pour all of B into A. Stir well for at least three minutes. Transfer the entire contents into the diposable pouring cup and mix for another two minutes. Do not scrape the sides of the can when transferring, the remaining product is not mixed properly and can affect the final cure. USE Spartite within 15 minutes of mixing. Depending on temperature, Spartite will skim over in 30 minutes of the mixing process.

Pouring
Pour Spartite into the prepared area between mast and collar. When properly mixed it pours like syrup and it will seek its own level. For best results Spartite should be poured from a height of 1cm above the rim of the deck collar so that a lip is formed. Masking tape or a clay dam will contain the liquid. If additional Spartite is needed to fill the mould repeat the above mixing and pouring steps with additional cans.
During curing, protect the mixture from rain by fitting a plastic tent. Once it has set, remove any tape, foam or modelling clay. When hard, any ‘flashing’ can be trimmed off with a knife, or file.

SPARTITE MUST BE LEFT TO CURE BEFORE TENSIONING THE RIG OR SAILING. In hot weather above 25C this should be at least 48 hours and in cold weather between 10 C and 20C this should be 5 to 6 days. The curing time can be reduced by using a heat source for the first 10 to 16 hours. A light bulb(s) on a lead can often be used to provide a relatively safe heat source.

Maintenance
To ensure a watertight barrier apply a bead of caulking around the joint between mast wall and Spartite. Prolonged exposure to UV rays may cause cosmetic damage but this will not affect the product’s integrity. Painting the surface will eiliminate this effect. For future un-stepping you should not need to remove the Spartite collar from the mast. Break any seal between deck with a razor knife. If required the Spartite ring can be slid up the mast section to aid re-stepping.

WARNING
Spartite is inert in its cured form but NEVER pour liquid Spartite or its two components down a drain or sewer.
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Info
  • AMH
    • Ericson Safety Pump
    • Spartite
  • Contact