I don't like stub masts (heavy, can't get to the top bearing), but where height is limited, they may be worth the effort. Easy enough to make, as long as the bearing assembly for both bearings is installed in the mast prior to joining it together. Not a big deal. Could make the assembly removable pretty easily too, which solves some of the maintenance issue.
His bearings are spherical, mine are plain. We have had no trouble with these so far. Suspect you could get a spherical one made for a lot less than 5 grand.
Half a wishbone is ok if you can stop it twisting, or live with it interfering with the lee side of the sail on one tack. Not a big deal.
rob
Hi,
I was just http://www.sponbergyachtdesign. looking at his wingcom/
masts. The idea of a stub mast with the wing mast rotating on it
appeals to me for my containerizable boat, so that I can get more sail
area. Will this work with your mast build methods and bearings? I like
the sound of your $350 bearings alot more than his $5000 bearings.
Also, what about his idea of a half-wishboom boom? If I angle the boom
up like that, I could have the clew above the hardtop over the ww
hull, and still have the sail low enough to work on at the lw hull.
Still thinking...
- Gardner
York, PA