Lost my Mast today

[Tom L.]

The deck for most monohulls flexes when under a heavy load. Be carefull the mast doesn't literally hop out of the peg. I don't know how mutihulls deal with that possibility. That's why some keel steeped masts that do not have a tabernackle that the butt of the mast is bolted too have a tie rod from the keel to the deck.

Tom L.

[Pacman]

The deck for most monohulls flexes when under a heavy load. Be carefull the mast doesn't literally hop out of the peg. I don't know how mutihulls deal with that possibility. That's why some keel steeped masts that do not have a tabernackle that the butt of the mast is bolted too have a tie rod from the keel to the deck.

Tom L.

My C-16 was built with a compression post that supports the cabin top so flex is not a problem.

The C-16 has a three-wire rig that generates downward force on the mast whenever there is any wind at all so even if there was a bit of flex, it would not pop off the peg. 

My first catamaran had a large fully battened sail that could load the rig enough to flex the aluminum crossmember but the mast base remained securely attached at all times.

I think the reason why most deck-stepped masts have a pivot bolt is that the pivot bolt is helpful when raising the mast and it helps keep the foot of the mast from slipping out of place on the tabernacle.

My mast has been on a catamaran-style base for 5 or 6 years now without any problem so I think it will be OK. 

I still have my original mast step in a box and that is where it will stay so it will be available if I decide to sell the boat and the new owner wants it.

IMHO a rotating mast is probably the best performance improvement I have made to my C-16 so far and the price was right too.