[Public-List] Mast Beam Repair

[Rachel]

On Jan 11, 2010, at 10:50 AM, C.B. Currier wrote:

> Folks,
>
> The simple fact that Whitby went on to change out the original  
> design from
> a laminate beam to an aluminium I-Beam suggests to me that repairing  
> the
> old design is a waste of time. Taking advantage of the sistering  
> repair is
> smart and responsible seamanship.

I think that any mast support beam that works and can properly support  
the mast step is smart and responsible; but to my mind that doesn't  
mean it *has* to be sistered aluminum plates.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the later Alberg 30s, but  
on the other hand, I don't necessarily think that all of the design  
changes were made specifically to be more smart and responsible.   
Probably many of them were made to speed up or simplify the building  
of the boats (and there is nothing wrong with that).  Many other boat  
builders did the same thing as they got more familiar with fiberglass  
boat building.  For example, non-structural liners mean less finicky  
tabbing and carpentry work, etc.

Again, not maligning the newer boats at all; but also I don't think  
that Whitby made all of the changes just in order to make the boat  
more seaworthy.

Any failing or overly flexing beam needs repair, of course, but there  
are numerous ways to accomplish that.

Rachel
ex #221


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