Carbon time!
Hi Shaun,
I too am interested. I checked the measurements of the "aluminum pipe monster" inherited from the prior owner and IF I choose to hacksaw it off where it passes down through the sloping transom and use the inside for a socket, I would need a new carbon pole with an OD of 2 5/8". Length would be 10 feet. If the pole available is a larger OD than that, I will remove the existing pole complete and re-invent a new socket in composite material. In either situation I would be making a top plate in honeycomb core and epoxy and cloth...
(This has "winter project" writen all over it.)
The post I have now is about 3 1/4" OD with what I measure to be a 1/4" wall. For being aluminum, it is quite heavy... And to add insult to injury, it is on the port side. Olson 34's are all slightly heavy on that side. Sheesh!
Oh well, if owning a yacht was easy, anyone could do it..
:headb:
Best,
Loren