Holes in mast
james nolan (nolan_laboratories@email.msn.com)
Tue, 24 Aug 1999 20:01:51 -0600
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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One problem with drilling holes in the mast for hardware, wires, etc is that
the holes create stress points in the mast when it bends. Depending on the
forces on the mast from the stays and the sail, parts of the mast can be in
compression or in tension or remain neutral. From the standpoint of
optimum mast strength would it be best to drill holes on the front of the
mast, on the back of the mast or on the side of the mast? Are there anything
like PEM nuts that I can insert into the holes to reduces their effects as a
stress point? Would filling the old holes with weld material be beneficial?
Jim Nolan P-19, P-15, L138T, LGYC #6