After getting water in my mast yet again, I decided to redo the mast plug...with style...

Thats very cool and original!

Nice job, very pretty. Paul take note, less tape more clear silicone.

Are you sure that the top of the mast is leaking and not the upper diamond T-terminal tangs holes ?

Wouter

Now that's smart. How did you do it?

Paul

Only the tip of the mast was in the water--not even close to the diamonds where they enter the mast; also, when I took my mast down, John D (Blade sailor in SoCal) noticed water dripping out of the top.

I just printed out the logo, trimmed it and glued it to the foam before covering with silicone.

Nice repair Eric, and thanks for the demonstration of how to get and keep an F16 moving. This weekend SCYA series was a good learning experience for me. Sailed the Blade in 15-20kts wind, capsized, got it back up without assistance (except for the wind), and learned what the spinnaker pole does when subjected to a sudden heavy download. The download was caused when I stepped off the bow into much deeper water than I thought and grabbed the pole for support. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> At least the racing was over for the weekend when it happened. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

JJD,

Great sailing with you--great venue and facility; a little weird sailing with the Tempests, though. Look forward to our next sail.

I take it you bent or snapped the spi' pole?

Snapped it.
I'm digging around locally to see what I can come up with as a suitable replacement. Supplied Blade spinnker pole is 1.5" OD X .065 Wall Al tubing.

Here is a previous post talking about various aluminum tubing for beams, booms and poles.

F16 Thread on tubing

How about using a Windsurfer mast, or does it have to be aluminium?

Try a Sunfish spar. If you live near a Sunfish fleet, find a Sunfish junkie and have them dig up a broken spar. They break at the 11 foot mark. I think they are exactly the dimensions you need. Even new they are only $80.

I think a windsurfer mast would be much more durable than the aluminum.

Ahm negative, a F16 spin pole specially with the newer cut spinnakers you want max spin pole length which is 12ft.

Hi all,

carbon windsurfer mast the only way to go, as found on "Altered". Cheap when second hand, light and strong <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />.

Regards Gary. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

1.5 x 0.065 inch = 38 mm x 1.65 mm alu tube.

Now I understand why you guys in the US are bending and snapping the poles so much more often then the other F16 sailors in the world. I think the standard elsewhere is 40x2 mm spi poles = 35% stiffer and stronger. However your US poles are lighter, so it is a "win-some, loose-some" trade-off.

Wouter

Whats the percentage weight difference? or to put it another way do you wear a 2-3mm or 4-5mm wetsuit. In other words don't worry about a few grams just go for a reliable pole which doesn't snap. If you are that concerned about weight do as the Stealths do and go for Wouters favourite material CARBON FIBRE <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Class rules say 3500 mm or 11'6". Sunfish spar is 14 whole, breaks at 11-12 feet, usually from abrasion/corrosion at the gooseneck. Here's one in use...