is it possible to have a freestanding mast on a open 60"?

hi,
im just starting to design my first boat, an open 60" type boat. And i want to have a free standing mast that would be suitable for round the world sailing.

any info would be great and much appreciated.

josh miller

 

Gosh, you're brave.

dwak

 

It's possible, it will be very big and heavy though.

 

Haha, dwak's right. But ambition is good for you, maybe!!

Why do you want it free-standing?

Also, why do you want a 60-inch boat for open ocean passages?! 60" is 5'! Hehe, sorry. (Unless you intended it to be five feet! In that case, you really are very brave!) I'm not really one to talk though, I bet I'm about as new as you are. Good luck!

 

It has been done, but it doesn't seem to be very fast.

http://www.bruceschwab.com/usa05.cfm

 

hi,
thanks for all the replys.
the reason i wanted to have a free standing mast is that it simplifies the design making there less chance of something going wrong (hopefully).
i looked at the boat Ocean Planet USA 5 and liked it a lot, i read that the skipper did not experience any major technical problems.

i don't intend to design the boat purely for racing but to explore the world....fast
im thinking of all the possible ways to rid the deck of lines, cables and stays
as much as possible.
anyways,

josh miller

 

Have you checked out Project Amazon? http://www.sponbergyachtdesign.com/ProjectAmazon.htm

In addition there is a good section on freestanding masts (see home page).

With all due respect, an Open 60 with a freestanding rig is a daunting task for even the most talented engineers/architects/designers.

 

An open 60 with a free standing mast is certainly doable. In fact, if the mast is built strong enough to handle the rigting moment of the boat is will be strong enough to give you some leeway in re-righting if the boat is capsised. You will need this help if you are not going for a canting keel.

Depending on the design, you are looking at around 150,000 ft lbs of righting moment at 30 degrees = carbonfibre mast with thick walls and large section. Swiveling wingmast would be a good way to go. Eric Spondberg would be a good start.

 

Yoshi,

Yes, have a look at Project Amazon on my website with the link that Sketch provided. By the way, you have NOT worked with me on my electric powered surfboard, and I have never designed a jetski.

Also, Project Amazon is an early open class 60 (rules have since changed significantly), and she is actually pretty empty on the inside; she is NOT "just full of hydrolics [sic] and pumps and so much stuff."

Please do not spread misinformation.

Eric