Glen-L.com

I have a pivoting mast step for the GlenL 25. I need some expert advise on how to best place this on the hull. What I have done is 4 holes each corner and 1 center with through bolts. The centre bolt through the cabin strong back. Then I stopped to think...late but thorough.

If the boat rolls over and I expect that would pull the mast off the boat in some way, do I want the mast head step staying with the boat or going with the mast? In greater detail, the strong back through bolt will probably pull the strong back out of position but not sure if it will pull through but I am certain the four corner bolts will rip a good size section of the cabin top out with it. Then thats a big hole in a big storm.

Would it be better to just put in a few screws and let the PIVOTING mast head step pull away or no, maybe?

Stuart

While I'm not certain about the design of the GL-25's tabernacle, a general principle in design is to make the easier part to replace more likely to break. We see this on motorcycles and quads when people put on heavier handlebars that won't bend, and end up bending a frame when they crash.

In a more applicable comparison, on my Cal-20, the pivoting mast step is intentionally a relatively weak part that breaks every once in a while. That means that, in the event of a ctastrophic emergency where the mast comes down, the $25 piece of aluminum will need to be replaced instead of the whole boat because the hull gets twisted.

_________________
Why build a boat?
Because they don't think I can!

Hi Folks

I would think the step, under normal use, would be at most risk while stepping/un-stepping the mast. Once stepped with the shrouds in place, in "normal" use the load would be mostly compression?

I think in the case of a catastrophic and violent knock down, you would prefer the step to break / break away, than to tear out the cabin strong back. Of course if you turtle a keel boat it definitely fits the description of catastrophic!

Cheers

Mark C