Rotating Mast for C-16

[Pacman]

I made a rotating mast for my C-16 like the one on my old catamaran and on my recently-sold Butterfly..

It was easy to do because, like my catamaran and my Butterfly, the C-16 has no backstay to prevent mast rotation.

All I had to do was conctruct an insert for the mast base to hold the pin and make a wooden pad of Ipe wood to hold the stainless steel rotating pin on deck.

The pin was made from a stainless steel bolt that was threaded into female threads that I tapped into the Ipe wood pad.

I was able to mount the Iipe wood pad using longer screws in the original holes so I dod not have to modify the deck in any way.  If I ever wanted to change back to OEM, all I would have to do is rempve the pad and pin and remount the OEM part. 

The standard gooseneck was used and it works fine.

The leading edge of the mast is now part of the foil, it moves the mainsail draft forward 2-3 inches and gives a more efficient sail shape and less weather helm.

I am still experimenting but so far, so good.

[Bob23]

Pac:
  That sounds cool! Any photos? Oene question: how did you figure that the center of effort (I think that's the right term) moved forward 2-3 inches. Is it because now the mast is considered part of the sail, sorta speak?
Bob23

[Pacman]

Bob,

That's exactly it.  The leading edge of the mast now becomes part of the foil shape of the sail and the draft moves forward as a result.

That could be thought of as a free increase in sail area and the sail shape is much improved.

No my original idea but the adaptation was and it was easy and cheap.  (about $6.00 for the stainless bolt and washers)

I'll try pictures but I mught need some help with that.

Dave

[Bob23]

Dave:
   Thanks so much. If I can learn how to post photos, anybody (including your dog) can. There are those here that can explain it better than I so I won't try. I'll just confuse you. Happy New Year! I may try that rotating mast trick. I have one on my Force 5 but it's a round mast so I'd imagine that does not apply.
Bob23