How come all you engineers never

[deniseO30]

dreamed up a telescoping mast? oh yeah.. and self reeling stays? well maybe for motorsailers?

I won't even fathom a guess on the way to work out the problems with such an idea. I'll just lurk on this one (maybe even hide)

whats next?


quick change keels?

[JohnRPollard]

Denise,

Please, one project at a time. We are presently busy perfecting the "Sail Fan". Next on the list is completing development of the revolutionary "keel shrouds." You'll just have to get in line...

[Tartan34C]

You need to do a better job of research. Both have been tried. The better idea was self adjusting shrouds. They were attached to a system that was run to a keel that was pivoted. As the wind increased the mast tilted one way and the keel tilted to windward. The hull always stayed upright and just the mast heeled with ever increasing righting moment from the tilting keel. A great idea that was before its time and as materials improve it will pop up again.

The telescoping mast was useless and didn’t accomplish anything. In an earlier incarnation you could look at the fidded topmast used in an early gaff rigged boat. It came down as the wind increased and reduced the windage and also the heeling moment from weight aloft. In some tea clipper ships, nitrate ships and all early men of war the topmast was also fidded and could be lowered when the weather got bad. In fact a telescoping mast in small to medium sized ships was once common in that sense.
All the best,
Robert Gainer

[Giulietta]

I have self tensioning shrouds, but only works on the shrouds that are to windward.

Unfortunately my system does not work very well because when the windward stays self-automatically tension, the leeward ones lose tension...

[k1vsk]

unless food, alcohol, sex or money is involved (not necessarily in that order), you'll just have to be patient - we'll get to it eventually when the other stuff runs out
Don
chemical and environmental engineer

[tdw]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

I have self tensioning shrouds, but only works on the shrouds that are to windward.

Unfortunately my system does not work very well because when the windward stays self-automatically tension, the leeward ones lose tension...

I agree. Its damned annoying. You get the leeward stays nice and taut then you tack and blow me down if the windward ones havn't gone and stretched. It's probably poor quality rigging. Just keep on tightening them everytime you tack.

[deniseO30]

Robert.... your no fun! . I never did or planned on researching it.

I found this a few mins ago though

Title: Retractable sailboat mast

Document Type and Number:United States Patent 4016823

Link to this page: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4016823.html

Abstract:This disclosure pertains to a telescoping mast hingeably and removably affixed at the base portion thereof to the deck of a sailboat. A series of inwardly spring biased spheres engage recesses in adjacent telescoping elements of the mast thereby releasably maintaining the mast in an extended position. Each telescoping section of the mast is provided with a longitudinal slot, used to engage a plurality of outwardly radially extending mainsail securing tabs. Circular or elliptical mast cross-sections may be employed, utilizing a flexible line running over the mast top to raise and lower the mainsail.


the things you can find on the net with a few mouse clicks

[TrueBlue]

I designed a summer house on the water a few years back that involved some creative engineering. The owner wanted the effect of being outdoors in a sheltered pavilion during nice weather.

All first floor windows extended from floor to headers - set 8 feet high with three vertical overlapping sash, that telescopically slid down into a double wall design integrating wall pockets extending below the floor level. The sash were weight ballasted with pulleys - no electrics necessary . . . essential for a remote island on the Atlantic. Adjacent 8 ft high bypassing exterior doors, level with a stone patio, slid into wall pockets.

Making the custom units waterproof was easy enough, but to be hurricane resistant, storm shutters rolled down on side jamb tracks from recessed rollers in the overhanging soffits above. After a few years, the units have held up very well through a few storms - but we've yet to have a major hurricane hit the coast since construction . . . the true test. Nature rebels against man's attempts to harness it's wrath.

[Tartan34C]

Originally Posted by deniseO30

Robert.... your no fun! .

Sorry, I didn’t mean to rain on your parade.
All the best,
Robert Gainer