[MHml] mast woes (Bill Gibbs)

[sysfx]

Bill,

I'd have the old cobalt rod tested for strength (destructive essay) and than compare the breaking strenght and elasticity modulus with those the new rod is supposed to feature.

The difficulty to achieve the same tension is less connected to breaking strength than to elasticity modulus. A more elastic rod is less effective for racing - it allows the mast to move more, dissipating some energy in the process. This may spare the mast in bumpy conditions, though.

If the actual breaking strength of the old rod is close enough to the new rod's, then the new rod is acceptable and probably safer - but slightly slower.

Cheers,
Luiz
----- Original Message ----
From: Bill Gibbs
Subject: mast woes


The riggers got my new rod diamonds installed Friday, mostly.  They had trouble getting the original tensions back... The original mast rigger remembers cobalt rod rigging, not nitronic.  Cobalt rod is stronger and stiffer than nitronic, so a same size replacement is a significant downgrade in strength and safety, perhaps too much.