[C320-list] mast

[Scott Thompson]

One other thing (this time responding to Steve):  Consider that each 
pound at the top of the mast influences the boat via a very long lever 
arm -- much longer than anything in the keel or on deck.  So even small 
weight savings up high count a lot in terms of the righting moment 
(stiffness), pitching moment and performance of the boat.  That's why 
lightening the top of the mast is worth the effort, even though the 
number of pounds removed is small.  It's also why top racers spend good 
money on very skinny but lightweight halyards -- to reduce weight aloft. 
  Of course 10 pounds at the top of the mast is no match for another 200 
pounds of railmeat in terms of righting moment, so this must be kept in 
perspective. But every bit helps.

John Van Vessem wrote:
> Steve,
>    
>   I never understood how you can move or bend the top of the mast since the head stay and back stay counter each other.  To bend  the mast you would have to stretch the head stay.  Although there is a certain amount of stretch in steel cable, I think what you are really doing is pushing the mast down.
>    
>   John (Sojourn 645)
> 
> Steve Magennis <magenns at yahoo.com> wrote:
>   While that's true (the tapered top IS slightly lighter than an
> untapered top), the taper also allows us to SLIGHTLY bend (not rake)
> the top of the mast with a backstay adjuster (if the forward lowers are
> tight) and SLIGHTLY depower the main (the bend sucks a little cloth out
> of the belly of the main).
> 
> I don't think either reason is significant.
> 
> Steve
> Alchemist #909
> 
> --- David Gleason wrote:
> 
>> I
>> believe the reason the top of the mast istaperedd is to reduce the
>> weight aloft.
>>
>> Dave Gleason
>> Proud Mary, #150
>> On Mon, 22 May 2006 11:35:48 EDT JBrown5093 at aol.com writes:
>>> Thanks for the information. This list is always helpful. Jim Brown
>>>
>>>
>>
> 
> 
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> 
> John Van Vessem
> Sojourn 645
> Vallejo Yacht Club