New Mast Hoops for Polar Dip

[Denis Goyette]

I made up some new mast hoop , using a design made by Greg Miller.

and they look great.

[Frank Hagan]

I've heard the bead - hoops work great, with very little friction going up and down. 

[Barry Pyeatt]

If you have a square mast with radiused edges they do have one drawback with use.  Save a few extra beads to replace those that will become broken.  When one does, it no longer works well at all. So you would need to split the bead and epoxy it back together again over the wire.  Also wrap the nicopress fitting with electrical tape so that it is approx the same diameter as the beads and covered so it won't scratch the mast when it ends up riding up one edge or another.  Ideally it would be located where it is tied to the sail and used on a birdsmouth or round mast. but since it is a flat spot in the loop it can get stuck on the radiused edge of the mast while underway and cause problems.  So wrapping it makes it less likely to get stuck on the radiused edges and /or end up gouging the mast.

[adla]

I have always used this kind of hoop - it works great.

notice I swagged the clip on the hoops and when it is pulled taught by the sail, the swagged piece naturally pulls away from the mast. Never had any problems...

a.

[PenGrace]

I have always used this kind of hoop - it works great.

notice I swagged the clip on the hoops and when it is pulled taught by the sail, the swagged piece naturally pulls away from the mast. Never had any problems...

a.

Those are definitely durable and beautiful as well.

[Greg Luckett]

Nice looking.  I like them!

I read a book, "Sloop", by Daniel Robb.  It is about restoring his family's Herreshoff 12.  He describes in detail the search for materials and learning the skills needed.  There is a good part on making mast hoops, that might be of interest to those of us needing such things.