but remember what was said earlier, they tried it and had problems with it because not all lower sections are exactly the same size, and it is hard to get a good fit
That should also be the case with the current sleeve, and everyone seems to make that work just fine. Besides, it's easier to adjust the diameter of a plastic molding to obtain a good fit than to adjust the diameter of the aluminum mast.
Exactly. You design and build the 'socket' to account for the tolerance stack up of the upper and lower sections, bare, and let people use tape for the fine tuning/shimming of the interface. It has to be less expensive to produce an injection molded 'socket', than to produce the upper section injection molded piece (actually 2 pieces), and then the labor to align, drill, and rivet into place.
Even if the 'socket' pulls out of the lower and stays attached to the upper at the end of the day, it has to be a better setup than the current approach.
if it was press fit, and not removable (maybe?), if and when they happen to break, that would possibly mean you would have to replace your bottom section. I personally feel it would be better if the cup were removable for maintenance and such
Certainly better than the alternative; your top section breaks because of a rivet hole... you lose the top section AND your sail! If adhesive slipped, you'll lose some sail trim. I'll take the latter.I think adhesive is a good idea, but it the adhesive fails the top section would fall into the bottom section.
If they don't care about going fast, they won't care about getting beat.What will it do to the many Laserers who just club race and really don't care about going fast?
If they don't care about going fast, they won't care about getting beat.
If they don't care about going fast, they won't care about getting beat.
I don't know a Laser sailor that has not broken at least one top section.
Also, I have never sailed owned boat where I did not need to replace the mast at some point (broken, bent, stress fractured, whatever - and on a fractional rig 38' it get expensive). Of course nobody likes having to pay for a replacement mast and repairs but are Lasers particularly bad in this regard. It certainly does happen in other boats as well.
Ian
i sailed a 505 for 13 years with the same mast....... also had two 125's with the same mast for 16 years.... when i bought the laser it came with a top section and a broken top section
but should sticking the mast into the mud count in this argument? under normal stress conditions a 505 mast does not snap (usually) whereas a laser mast under normal conditions can snap?
Where I sail "sticking the mast into the mud" definitely counts as sailing under normal conditions. I do see your point but having had no experience of top mast failure I am surprised at how often it comes up. I have seen them fail at open meetings but not as often as booms failing. In general at windy opens I have heard of far less instances of retirment through any form of gear failure than at regattas of other classes. Generally I think the boat is pretty robust but I guess I've just been lucky with top masts. However, after this speech I best order a replacement now!
Why not move the rivet down to the small diameter part of the collar? You could even use two (countersunk) rivets. At this location they'd be below the top of the bottom section and much less likely to break.Perhaps it helps to state the problems ?
1. Inconsistent sections resulting in changes in stiffness - IIRC this is caused by both material spec and the dies producing a thicker section the more they are used..
2. Breaking at the collar caused by the hole thru the spar for the rivet.
3. Perm. bends caused by both mis-use and inconsistent material
Anything else ?
IMHO, The class should fix #2 right now, that doesn't need a change to a composite spar, I believe there was a proposal for a change that would eliminate having to drill the section. Any progress on that ?
I don't see #1 and #3 getting solved if we stay with aluminum.
That is specifically against the rule.Sorry. I see the "move the rivet" idea was discussed much earlier. Regarding adhesive failure of a glued joint, wrapping duct tape 4-5 times around the top section immediately above the collar....
putting a bit of sail tape at the ends of the batten pockets to prevent batten loss
That is specifically against the rule.