by Jim Linville » Sun May 15, 2005 7:13 am
I spoke with Rick yesterday afternoon. He says it's not legal to use CF inside a mast. We can use only aluminum and/or wood inside the mast. However, mast accessories such as jumper struts and the masthead crane CAN be made of carbon fiber. I accept El Capitan's interpretation, but don't really understand the difference... doesn't the mast stub serve the same purpose as a jumper strut?
Good question about using carbon for the deck support structure. I'll ask. My intent IS to use carbon for a lot of what holds my deck up and on; i.e., the side strakes, and most of the deck-support ribs. CF weighs about the same as heavy balsa, but is a lot stronger and stiffer. My plan is to cut balsa bulkheads and use them as one-off forms for CF replacements. I guess I better ask first... [;)]
--Jim Linville, #985