The gotcha with that approach is the inertial loading.

Sure, a steady pull of umph pounds will hold the boat at a forty five degree
angle, but lurch against the mast to try and move from level to heeled
rapidly and the forces become huge, depending on the angular moment of
inertia. (Keep the weight out of the ends of the boat.) Then too, in
really rough weather, the forces are chaotic.

Remember that the standing rigging pulls up as well as down. If your chain
plates will only withstand 1000 lbs, it's silly to use shrouds that will
pull 2000 lbs. Also, two shrouds at 1000 lbs each means an additional 2000
lbs on the mast step.

Too complex for my brain.

Roger

http://home.earthlink.net/~derbyrm

"Mac" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 31 Aug 2005 15:52:14 +0000, noexpert wrote:

Subject: loads on masts
Need some real numbers in lbs for standing rigging as well
as under sail for variable conditions.

Well, one way to look at it is that the torque cannot exceed the
righting moment of the boat. It may be easier to guesstimate the
righting moment of a boat than aerodynamic forces.

I am not a naval architect (or marine engineer).