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I see that many newer Sunfish have a horn cleat on the starboard side of the mast. My older rig does not have one. Is that something I need to add?? If so, what is the best way for me to attach it to the mast? Aluminum Pop Rivets? Screws?
By golly, you're right! I thought that dude looked familiar.Hey Andy, that must have been the guy 5200ing the splashguard to your boat!
I used the 3" nylon horn cleat from Intensity Sails for my Minifish... but I don't really like it. it's a bit too small, honestly, and even feels a tad cheap.did you use a 3" nylon horn cleat?
How did it snap?I just saw a mast snap exactly where the horn cleat was. It was a bit too low in my opinion...
If you are going to race check the Sunfish rules. There is some type of rule about where the mast cleat can go.a lot of breeze and probably just old. However, it did snap at the exact place where the horn cleat was. I agree with someone above that said it should be at least 4 feet off the deck...
Any "insult" to the mast can be expected to cause trouble.a lot of breeze and probably just old. However, it did snap at the exact place where the horn cleat was. I agree with someone above that said it should be at least 4 feet off the deck...
Any "insult" to the mast can be expected to cause trouble.
My mast broke in a very strong wind; however, I couldn't find any significant corrosion at the break site. (No different there, than the rest of the mast). I suspect that an overloaded mast can break at roughly the same location on any Sunfish. If an "insult" (corrosion- or drilled-hole) is added, expect that hole to be the site of a break. Higher cleats would be safer for the mast.
Later Sunfish were equipped with an internal sleeve, which can be retrofitted.
View attachment 30436
(This mast had no cleat).
.
Did this failure happen where the gooseneck was typically located? It the galvanic reaction of the dissimilar metals caused corrosion this could explain why this was the weak point. ThxAny "insult" to the mast can be expected to cause trouble.
My mast broke in a very strong wind; however, I couldn't find any significant corrosion at the break site. (No different there, than the rest of the mast). I suspect that an overloaded mast can break at roughly the same location on any Sunfish. If an "insult" (corrosion- or drilled-hole) is added, expect that hole to be the site of a break. Higher cleats would be safer for the mast.
Later Sunfish were equipped with an internal sleeve, which can be retrofitted.
View attachment 30436
(This mast had no cleat).
.
The fracture occurred as pictured below; however, I use the "Geezer Rig", which is somewhat higher on the mast.Did this failure happen where the gooseneck was typically located? It the galvanic reaction of the dissimilar metals caused corrosion this could explain why this was the weak point. Thx