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[Potcake boy]

As far as the stress on the mast - it is quite different than that imposed by the sails.  These weights are placing a downward force on the rig, as compared to a sideways force applied by sails creating horizontal lift.  Yes the primary force is compression.  The weight being suspended from the top of the mast would introduce an out of column condition except that the lower shrouds are there to prevent that.  Raising or lowering the weights wouldn't change leverage, but he was using control lines to swing the bags in or out for more or less leverage.  This process is the the same as is used to get grounded boats off the bottom - simply tow a boat sideways by it's halyard (gently of course).  I have heard tales of booming out water ballast to the same effect.  I'm sure one of those fancy schmancy canting keel ocean racers could do this trick quite handily.

The real tragedy here is that sailing vessels were here doing humankind's work long before automobiles and should be accorded seniority.  Maybe all bridges should be replaced by tunnels, because as the global warming brings higher water levels the bridge problem grows ever more acute. Not only that, but boat builders have come and gone but never asked for a tax payer bail out.  I guess your achievements are only as good as today - no respect.  My hat's off to Kevin Costner - three cheers to water world.  But even there the dogma of the smokers is persistent - must be a human thing.  Is it possible that one day we will have 5W/20W filling our veins?  I'll bet some petro-chemist is already salivating over that prospect.

Ron

[Craig Weis]

Ronny, Ronny, Ronny...
"The real tragedy here is that sailing vessels were here doing humankind's work long before automobiles and should be accorded seniority.  Maybe all bridges should be replaced by tunnels, because as the global warming brings higher water levels the bridge problem grows ever more acute. Not only that, but boat builders have come and gone but never asked for a tax payer bail out.  I guess your achievements are only as good as today - no respect.  My hat's off to Kevin Costner - three cheers to water world.  But even there the dogma of the smokers is persistent - must be a human thing.  Is it possible that one day we will have 5W/20W filling our veins?  I'll bet some petro-chemist is already salivating over that prospect."

Holy cow. Where do I start?
1~Maybe all bridges should be replaced by tunnels. Yes I wanted a tunnel so boats did not have to wait to the top-o-hour.
2~as the global warming brings higher water levels the bridge problem grows ever more acute. WRONGO. No warming. Traffic won't have to wait either using tunnels. Tons in Germany to save a pond.
3~boat builders have come and gone but never asked for a tax payer bail out. PJ's and Fincintara have. And got it.
4~My hat's off to Kevin Costner - three cheers to water world Liberal Hollywood hype. Bull Hockey. To be sure.
5~dogma of the smokers is persistent Yep. Smoking is for suckers.
6~Is it possible that one day we will have 5W/20W filling our veins? Dr. House says, "Unlikely. But run feesability tests."
7~I'll bet some petro-chemist is already salivating over that prospect I'm pretty sure that's incorrect as well.

skip.