MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Length of carbon mast

Hi, I have just deck stepped my merlin rocket and have soursed a new carbon contender mast cheaply and was wondering if it could be cut to length, the wall diameter seem perfect and dont think I will have anything to worry about strength. Could anyone give me the following measurements from a deck stepped merlin mast please:
1.)Overall length of mast from top to bottom
2.)How far from the bottom the top of the gooseneck and sail entry is
3.)How far up the mast the spreaders, forstay, jib entry and spinnaker halyard

Any more info or whatever you can give would be gratefuly recieved!
Thanks alot
Jon


Posted: 31/07/2008 09:36:02
By: jon M3438
excuse spelling LOL


Posted: 31/07/2008 09:36:36
By: jon M3438
Look at the rules - everything is measured from the sheerline to black bands NOT the deck.  It makes a big difference!!!  Remember the golden rule - measure twice (or three times) and then cut once after checking for the third time!!!


Posted: 31/07/2008 10:10:12
By: Garry R
If the original mast fits you do have that as a template.  The gooseneck isn't going to be moveable on a carbon mast and if you have your lower band just above the gooseneck that dictates the measurement points for everything else, usually put at the allowable maxima, then measure your sheerline to mast heel distance to work out how much to lop off.  The problem is that as Merlins vary considerably the height above the sheerline of the mast heel is not at all the same from boat to boat.  Spreader lengths and angles ditto.


Posted: 31/07/2008 11:35:14
By: Andrew M
That's what I was trying to say but you put it better.  I had the problem that I got a second hand mast for Gannet 252 which has a pretty flat deck but it came from a Merlin with a fairly domed deck.  When I mounted it first there was not enough height from sheerline to lower black band and besides, it ripped my lifejacket off almost every time I tacked as it was so low!!  Had to fit a block of wood about one and a half inches thick as a mounting plate under the mast and everything now measures perfectly.  It cost me however as I had to get new shrouds made up as they weren't long enough after the height was increased.


Posted: 31/07/2008 12:40:20
By: Garry R
Coincidentaly I've just been measuring my tin Merlin mast (Superspar M1) and it seems the spreaders are approx half height with the hounds at about 3/4 height. Actual mast length was about 6.2m but as the previous threads indicate it depends on the sheerline measurement as this is the datum from which to measure all the other points...There are some pictures in the galley showing how to do this and the measurement is between 630mm and 730mm from the sheerline to the band at the gooseneck.

Happy measuring:-)

Tony


Posted: 31/07/2008 13:08:52
By: Blackie
jon, you could of course put a tape measure over mine next weekend!


Posted: 31/07/2008 22:29:29
By: chris3519
Smart arse-ok then- I will have to take you up on that-


Posted: 09/08/2008 19:21:52
By: Jon

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