In my slow attempts to get my boat set up (greatly aided by folks on this forum), I am slowly arriving at readiness for a mast-track to attach a whisker-pole to (my sailmaker said I would need a track to handle shifts in proper pole height at mast as genoa is furled and/or drifter used).
The mast-track part I understand, but attaching it... very expensive per the boatyard (multiple $k). I have a friend skilled at tapping, so I asked him about installing one together, and he asked, "why not use rivet-nuts?"... apparently these might be easier/better for working from only one side of a surface, and be easier than tapping a bunch of holes (without unstepping the mast, which I do not want to do -- more $k). Anyway, for those (like me) that have never heard of these:
Does anyone have an opinion about securing a track with rivet-nuts instead of tapping the mast directly and using screws? My understanding (per my sailmaker) is that only a couple of screws (e.g. for a D ring) are simply not enough to handle the loads (E34, standard rig), so a track with many screws is the right way to go. But rivet nuts sound easier, assuming I can figure a way to lanolin-coat them to prevent mast electrolysis. Or maybe that's the reason people don't use them?
Any advice appreciated!
PS: I am imagining not rigging blocks to raise/lower pole with a line(s), but just positioning the pole manually... easier to install. Opinions re: that welcome too.
PPS: Considering Garhauer for the track/car. Yet again, opinions welcome.
The mast-track part I understand, but attaching it... very expensive per the boatyard (multiple $k). I have a friend skilled at tapping, so I asked him about installing one together, and he asked, "why not use rivet-nuts?"... apparently these might be easier/better for working from only one side of a surface, and be easier than tapping a bunch of holes (without unstepping the mast, which I do not want to do -- more $k). Anyway, for those (like me) that have never heard of these:
Rivet nut - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Does anyone have an opinion about securing a track with rivet-nuts instead of tapping the mast directly and using screws? My understanding (per my sailmaker) is that only a couple of screws (e.g. for a D ring) are simply not enough to handle the loads (E34, standard rig), so a track with many screws is the right way to go. But rivet nuts sound easier, assuming I can figure a way to lanolin-coat them to prevent mast electrolysis. Or maybe that's the reason people don't use them?
Any advice appreciated!
PS: I am imagining not rigging blocks to raise/lower pole with a line(s), but just positioning the pole manually... easier to install. Opinions re: that welcome too.
PPS: Considering Garhauer for the track/car. Yet again, opinions welcome.