Mast Box

[Andrew]

Why does the WE have a mast box?

I would think that this would be for making it easy to get the mast off and on the boat, but with it having a folding mast, does this become obsolete? Would it be just as easy (easier :? ) to do away with the mast box completely and simply fix the mast to the hull bottom and front bulkhead?

Again, I'm no sailor/designer and I'm questioning the wisdom of those who know, I'm just seeing if it is needed, and if not I may be able to get the boat finished (started ) sooner

[tdrown]

The mast box is also for structure. just screwing it into the bulkhead would be enough. You probably could redesign it, but you just need to reenforce the bottom of the mast so it attaches to the rest of the boat well. Just my take on the sitution.

[Simon]

Check out www.byyb.org/forums and search for "No mastbox" in the title. I had similar thoughts and got quite a few responses over there.

[Barry Pyeatt]

Here is my reasoning why it is needed.

If you eliminate the mast box, you also eliminate some of the strength of the structure supporting the mast and spreading out the stress as the boat works under varying conditions.

If you eliminate the mast box, you can secure the mast base and seal up around the mast at the deck and not have to worry about water incursion to the front compartment. But the mast will still have the stress and movement against the deck as it moves and you stand to damage the deck and front bulkhead which aren't that beefy to begin with.

The mast is designed to be able to be stepped and unstepped without a hassle for maintenance and if you decided to raise the goosneck/boom you can easily drop a block into the mast box and then step the mast accomplishing the task without the need to make a new tabernacle.

The composite of the bulkhead, bottom, keel, deck with joiner/reinforcement and mast box add substantially to the strength of the structure forward where most of the stress is located. Weaken any part of that structure and the entire structure doesn't function as well.

The moment/leverage of the 15'+ mast with a main sail of this size, a gaff, boom have a great deal of weight associated with their movement. The stays help balance it, as does the mast box, forestay and running rigging. But take away part of its support and you would likely weaken the entire combination substantially and create a structure that could be damaged. Not in light/med air, but on gusts and when you don't expect it.

We had a mast let go at just above deck level on one of our boats because we made it too strong and it couldn't move as it should. When it let go it took the deck, mast base, shrouds, boom and sail overboard with it and the boat followed it by turning turtle. We had substantially altered the designed balance of components.

I think Peter Stevenson stated that when he was working with Hobe the statement was made to the effect that the ultimate test is if the boat breaks up, it will break up evenly into little pieces because the design was balanced so no one part was too strong to be supported by the weaker parts.

So...that is why I would keep the mast box. :wink:

[Andrew]

Barry

Thanx again for the 'indepthness' of your response - you're making my boat stronger, if not quicker to build .

Be warned - these are only the questions I've got BEFORE I start building!!!

[Barry Pyeatt]

Thanks Andrew,

My daughter and son swear in public that I have opinions and answers for questions that haven't been asked yet. :?

Remember, the only dumb question is the one that is asked after the fact and it is too late to do anything about it. :roll:

Favorite saying is: I may not be good...but I'm slow. :idea: :?: