On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 15:44:47 GMT, Rich Hampel
wrote:

I'm not so sure about that. If, when there are sideloads in squalls,
knockdowns, etc., the deck stepped mast failed by remining in one piece
but slipping out of it's step, then I'd agree that a keel stepped mast
would solve that problem ... if it didn't snap at the deck. But most
of the mast failures I've see are when it snaps somewhere aloft, like at
the spreaders. How it's stepped doesn't make a difference when it
breaks up there.

Mast failure (usually at midsection) is usually due to some rigging
failure that permits the mast to move 'out of column' and permits
catastrophic buckling failure when the compressional loads get off
center. Doesnt matter if its deck stepped of keel stepped, if the
rigging support fails and the mast deflects catastrophically .... the
latent compression load finishes the job.

Exactly. Which is why I don't think it makes all that much difference.

Steve