[MHml] Uh, about my mast

[Larry Forgy]

Some of you may recall the extended discussion of a week or two ago 
about my switching the fixed mast on my Macgregor 36 to a rotating mast.

The mast was off another catamaran which had capsized and broken the 
mast at the point the shrouds and forestay attach.  We are going to use 
a sleeve to reattach the top section.

Well, after we got it to the rigger and he was stripping the hardware, 
he asked me if I knew it was twisted.  I couldn't tell at first, even 
sighting along the bolt rope groove.  But with the mast base removed 
(for some repairs) I could look down the inside of the mast.  Sure 
enough, the teardrop shape at one end was not exactly the same 
orientation as at the other end.  It is not a lot.  Perhaps on the order 
of 10 degrees or less (just guessing).

The rigger wants to know if I still want to do this.  He says it won't 
affect the strength of the tube. 

I'm looking for some feedback from you guys.  My own feeling is that 
even with the twist, this is going to be so much better than my current 
fixed oval mast with external halyards as to make it worthwhile to 
change.  I'm guessing that it won't really have much effect on 
performance.  Maybe a little beneficial twist on one tack and twist the 
wrong way on the other.

This is the last question about the mast (I'm pretty sure, unless maybe 
I ask about one block and tackle on the rotator or two).  Next week we 
move on to questions about the new rudders.

Thanks,
Larry Forgy