mirror offshore masts

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petera01

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i have a mirror offshore fin keel no 22 with a 17ft wooden mast .i have heard of mast lenths of 21ft to 23.6.has anyone any information on these various lengths any phone calls on this or any other subject regarding the mirror offshore would be greatfully recieved
 
Hi and welcome,

The Mk I carried 122.4 sq ft of sail had a ballast of 380lbs and fitted a MD1 inboard diesel engine. There were only two berths.

The mk II, modified by GDB Marine c.1980-83, and last produced by Elizabethan Marine carried 152 to 197 sq ft of sail (on a taller mast), had 700lbs of ballast (excluding the engine) and fitted either inboard or outboard engine. It had a four berth layout and a single large window either side.

Not a detailed answer to your question. The 17ft mast was the length on the mk I I believe. I would deduce that the other mast lengths were for the different sail areas on the mk II.

Source of info PBO 238 Oct 1986. But the original Mk I was reviewd in PBO 22 Oct '68. There were articles about Transatlantic crossing and modifications in PBO 87, Mar '74; Gaff rig and other modifications in PBO 136, Apr '78; and a Bmu cutter rig and other modifications in PBO 203 Nov '83. Maybe other articles later that I am not aware of.
 
Any mast size on any boat is a compromise. There will be times in light winds when you wish for more mast/sail area and other times when you would wish for less mast height and area.
Given that you should have an efficient reefing system then more mast might seem better. Except yopu still have weight up high and windresistane of the mast even when reefed.
I think unless you are keen on historical then gaff rig is old fashioned and a taller bermudan rig with fractional forestay would be lighter and more efficient.
I am not one who thinks that the original designer musty have got it right and knew more about design than I do. Just cos it is all a compromise and you may benefit by a compromise that you choose.
good luck olewill
 
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