things to consider
Geoff
Your idea for the "bridge" under the mast looks very good. Something to bear in mind when constructing it though. If/when you weld galvanized steel you generate a VERY toxic gas plus you burn off the zinc coating which means you are left with just raw steel exposed. Welding stainless is ok if you then "pasivate" it afterwards to remove the free iron molecules that float to the surface from the welding process. This is why stainless always starts rusting along the edge of a bead of weld first. Fabricating ot of aluminum is probably the best alternative, just use heavy enough (1/4 to 5/16 thick) plate to be effective.
BTW, the area under the spar on the E34's is MUCH more robust that the photo's show the 35's to be. Obviously someone recognized the weakness & corrected it.
Good luck to those who need to do this repair!
Have fun & sail fast
Bud E34 "Escapade"
Geoff
Your idea for the "bridge" under the mast looks very good. Something to bear in mind when constructing it though. If/when you weld galvanized steel you generate a VERY toxic gas plus you burn off the zinc coating which means you are left with just raw steel exposed. Welding stainless is ok if you then "pasivate" it afterwards to remove the free iron molecules that float to the surface from the welding process. This is why stainless always starts rusting along the edge of a bead of weld first. Fabricating ot of aluminum is probably the best alternative, just use heavy enough (1/4 to 5/16 thick) plate to be effective.
BTW, the area under the spar on the E34's is MUCH more robust that the photo's show the 35's to be. Obviously someone recognized the weakness & corrected it.
Good luck to those who need to do this repair!
Have fun & sail fast
Bud E34 "Escapade"