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keel stepped/deck stepped masts
On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 13:39:15 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote: On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 12:38:06 GMT, (Steven Shelikoff) 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. ===================================== The issue of whether or not the mast fails as one piece or multiple pieces is separate from the structural considerations. Here's a different way to view the situation: A keel stepped mast is cantilevered at the deck and thus derives extra support. A deck stepped mast is essentially pivoted at the deck rather than supported by it. That's exactly how I am viewing it. But the support at the deck of a keel stepped mast is not going to do a damn thing to keep the mast from breaking if the rigging fails in rough weather. If anything, I'd think you'd have a slightly better chance of salvaging a deck stepped mast after a catastrophy and jury rigging it up again since, if it does come down with a pivot at the step, you've got a chance it may still be in one piece. Of course it all depends on what breaks and how it comes down. The only mast I've ever had come down due to rigging failure was on a deck stepped boat and everything was salvagable. Lose the rigging on a keel stepped mast and you're pretty much guaranteed to break it. Another difference between them is that, when the boat is parked at the slip, you can take the rigging down and not have the mast fall over if it's keel stepped. But then it's also a little tougher to get the mast up and down when you want to if it's keel stepped because you have to lift it up a bit. And the last difference I can think of is that you don't have to worry about a compressed compression post and attendent deck sag with a keel stepped mast. Steve |
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