[MHml] mast rake

[Paul Nudd]

Larry Forgy wrote:
What exactly is the point of mast rake anyway?
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Larry has had a few replies but none answering the question.
He has made, or committed to, the change and wants to know what to do 
with the rake and why.
Mostly we change rake to change balance. This is found necessary when we 
change something else that affects balance.
Designers seem to design their rigs with a few degrees of aft rake 
rather than straight up. I don't know why. Is it because it looks 
better? Is it because a few degrees of rake is better aerodynamically?
What should Larry do? Obviously work with the equipment he has and rake 
the mast to give good balance. If this results in ridiculous forward 
rake then he will need to change something else to allow the boat to 
balance without ridiculous rake.
Surely someone on the list can answer Larry's question.
PN



Larry Forgy wrote:
> I'm replacing the rig on my Macgregor 36, as I have the opportunity to 
> change from my fixed mast to a rotating one, and found a used but 
> reasonably good fully battened main to replace the piece of junk I have now.
> 
> The old mast was vertical with no mast rake, but there is a suggestion 
> to include some (4 to 8 degrees) of rake with the new mast, which is 
> what it had on the boat where it was previously used.
> 
> What exactly is the point of mast rake anyway?  If it is just to balance 
> the boat, rake is going to make my boat more unbalanced.  Is there some 
> aerodynamic reason for rake?  I'm inclined (no pun intended) to just 
> make the stick vertical unless there is a compelling reason not to.
> 
> Larry Forgy