Karl,
I've not used it so it scares me (ignorance+ lack of experience=fear). The
rod we've been using is dirt cheap when it is available.
Actually, I'm moving back away from rod now that I have sorted out my
thinking on the way our rig works underway (as it relates to stretch / creep
and
how to deal with it). It's still so easy to be sucked into the notion that
putting sails up on shore and measuring changes in rig tension as you change
various settings is providing hard information--it isn't. In retrospect, there
really was no need to use rod on the primaries if stretch is the concern
because they see little tension under way except in very light air I hope to
find
time to finish and bring a completely soft rigged mast with no tangs and no
t-balls to Florida. If it works out it will be cheaper, stronger, faster to
build and a couple of pounds lighter yet.
The one place I really like rod is the forestay and that may be hard to give
up. It may the a place for Kevlar rod--educate us Karl. Can you roll the
stuff up to a reasonable radius and what are the advantages over vectran
etc.? What is the cost and weight and can you get it in 1/8" or smaller?
I've just about got things under control and will complete a mast PDF to
spur discussion that should result in a better understanding or the rig. I'll
try to get Emmett Lazich involved in the discussion. Emmett was a big help
during the early R&D process.
Incidentally, all 11 boats that are coming to Florida from the Northwest
corner have paid their shipping costs--it is a go. We are excited and ready
for
some warm weather.
Best regards,
Bram
In a message dated 2/29/2008 10:06:02 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
karlsch@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Bram
What about Kevlar Rod rigging instead of wire?
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