We took an eight foot rigid 6db Shakespeare VHF antenna around the world
with no problems. Swee****er's masthead is 82' up, so while she perhaps
doesn't roll as sharply as a smaller boat with a 50' mast, there's a longer
lever.

Fintry's masthead is 36' off the water and she'll have three rigid VHF
antennas up there (she has two now).

Today I would choose Digital Antenna, Comrod, or (Bruce in Alaska's
recommendation), Morad, but don't worry about the antenna, even a
Shakespeare.


--
Jim Woodward
www.mvFintry.com


..
"Steve" wrote in message
...
I have the same situation with my base loaded Shakespear VHF wipe.. It has
never caused problems with the wind instrument but it's only a matter of
time and the right (wrong) sea state.

I considered the possibility of a ridgid fiberglass antenna, even before I
stepped the mast. But then I considered the G forces that a ridgid antenna
would be subjected to. I wouldn't even attempt to figure all of this out,
but I can only imagine (having spent 5 min at the top of another boats 50
ft
mast in a moderate sea, in my younger days. ).

Maybe a rigid antenna is up to these forces. I don't know..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions