[RoyB]

Any problem trying to seal the mast through deck area with some 3" wide vinyl heavy duty special adhesive 3M tape that I have? (applied under the mast boot).

Reason I ask is the company that manufactured our hydraulic backstay cylinder says not to tape anything to it as the tape will retain salt water under itself on the cylinder and cause corrosion.

Mast has a boot but some slight amount of water still penetrates under the boot and into the cabin.