"MC" wrote...
You know where the mast goes through the deck? Is it fixed in the metal
ring perhaps with a big bolt?

Have you seen many keelboats with masts fixed by a thru-bolt at the partners?
This is not a very common arrangement at all over here. In fact I haven't ever
seen one.

...It's just that if you were interested in
altering rake my adjustments at deck level it would be impossible with a
bolted partner... Instead you would have to alter rake at the mast foot
and that is also impossible on many boats as the foot casing is welded
or bonded to a ring frame.

Donal wrote:
I think that there are wooden chocks holding it in a vertical position.

Underneath the mast, there is a metal plate (SS or ally??) with two vertical
plates welded to it. These verticals are either side of the mast, and a
bolt goes through the lot.

Donal it apears that if you were interested in changing the rake of your mast,
or perhaps even shifting the whole mast a little bit forward or aft, it would be
possible (as it is on most properly rigged boats). A little work at the chocks
and/or at the step. However you've always said that your boat sails well, please
don't think I am advocating this.

One thing to take a close look at, before such an undertaking, is what the
structural grid under the mast step is like. Usually (in a properly designed and
built boat) there is allowance for the mast butt to be moved a couple inches,
maybe less, each way; and there is sufficient structural strength to support it.

It seems that MC has never tuned a keelboat and isn't sure how masts are
adjusted; or it may be that his own much-bragged-about has it's mast fixed
rather oddly... perhaps the riggers did it on purpose so that he couldn't mess
it up?

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

"DSK" wrote in message
...

Donal it apears that if you were interested in changing the rake of your
mast,
or perhaps even shifting the whole mast a little bit forward or aft, it
would be
possible (as it is on most properly rigged boats). A little work at the
chocks
and/or at the step. However you've always said that your boat sails well,
please
don't think I am advocating this.

I've never felt like adjusting the rake. I just find the thread
interesting, because sail trim is still my weak point.

A nice set of those high tech orange sails would be nice. Similiar boats
equipped with them do pass me.





One thing to take a close look at, before such an undertaking, is what the
structural grid under the mast step is like. Usually (in a properly
designed and
built boat) there is allowance for the mast butt to be moved a couple
inches,
maybe less, each way; and there is sufficient structural strength to
support it.


I'll have to take a look. I think that the plate that the mast sits on, is
bolted to the keel. The verticals are welded. So the plate would have to
be moved. It would probably be cheaper and easier to have a new plate
made.


Regards


Donal
--

DSK wrote:

"MC" wrote...

You know where the mast goes through the deck? Is it fixed in the metal
ring perhaps with a big bolt?


Have you seen many keelboats with masts fixed by a thru-bolt at the partners?
This is not a very common arrangement at all over here. In fact I haven't ever
seen one.



Well it is seen in offshore boats. It serves to lock the deck to the
mast to make the deck stronger as well as ensuring the parner seal
doesn't work when the mast pumps.


...It's just that if you were interested in
altering rake my adjustments at deck level it would be impossible with a
bolted partner... Instead you would have to alter rake at the mast foot
and that is also impossible on many boats as the foot casing is welded
or bonded to a ring frame.

Donal wrote:
I think that there are wooden chocks holding it in a vertical position.

Underneath the mast, there is a metal plate (SS or ally??) with two vertical
plates welded to it. These verticals are either side of the mast, and a
bolt goes through the lot.


Donal it apears that if you were interested in changing the rake of your mast,
or perhaps even shifting the whole mast a little bit forward or aft, it would be
possible (as it is on most properly rigged boats). A little work at the chocks
and/or at the step. However you've always said that your boat sails well, please
don't think I am advocating this.

One thing to take a close look at, before such an undertaking, is what the
structural grid under the mast step is like. Usually (in a properly designed and
built boat) there is allowance for the mast butt to be moved a couple inches,
maybe less, each way; and there is sufficient structural strength to support it.

It seems that MC has never tuned a keelboat and isn't sure how masts are
adjusted; or it may be that his own much-bragged-about has it's mast fixed
rather oddly... perhaps the riggers did it on purpose so that he couldn't mess
it up?



Aw, you really should try to get your jealousy under control. In fact I
altered the rig last year when my new contender racing sails were made.

Cheers

Have you seen many keelboats with masts fixed by a thru-bolt at the partners?
This is not a very common arrangement at all over here. In fact I haven't ever
seen one.


MC wrote:
Well it is seen in offshore boats. It serves to lock the deck to the
mast to make the deck stronger as well as ensuring the parner seal
doesn't work when the mast pumps.

A lot of boats I've seen have "partner stays" which go from the keelson to the mast
partners just aft of the mast. It keeps the deck from rising under athwartship
compression. It also keeps the partner seal from working.

Chocks also lock the deck to the mast, if installed properly, and don't viloate either
the tension or compression wall of the mast.

As for the mast pumping, that's a bad idea.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

DSK wrote:

Have you seen many keelboats with masts fixed by a thru-bolt at the partners?
This is not a very common arrangement at all over here. In fact I haven't ever
seen one.



MC wrote:
Well it is seen in offshore boats. It serves to lock the deck to the
mast to make the deck stronger as well as ensuring the parner seal
doesn't work when the mast pumps.


A lot of boats I've seen have "partner stays" which go from the keelson to the mast
partners just aft of the mast. It keeps the deck from rising under athwartship
compression. It also keeps the partner seal from working.


Yes.

Chocks also lock the deck to the mast, if installed properly, and don't viloate either
the tension or compression wall of the mast.

As for the mast pumping, that's a bad idea.


Yes and the current vogue of swept back spreaders and no runners will, I
think, lead to greater lateral mast tip movement if it starts...

Cheers