Franken Una-rig

[Dex Sawash]

Want to try a Laser rig in my Expedition 14.5 because the mast furler is kind of fucked and is unobtainable. The mast sits in a well that I don't want to modify permanently to make a step tube, so I want to support mast only at deck level and at the foot.
The carbon mast foot plug sits on a pin that will easily transfer to the Laser mast, so there's the bottom sorted.

Will just make a 3/4" ply plate for the top to replace the current aluminum plate that looks like this (not my boat)

The Laser mast step tube really just supports the mast at two points, right? Or am I doomed to instantly shearing the mast off at the top plate?

If it works out, might consider making top plate out of something different/racier once rake/position is sorted.

 

[Steam Flyer]

I think the Laser rig is more loaded-up than the Expedition; you will want a thicker deck / partner support than the original.

 

[Dex Sawash]

I think the Laser rig is more loaded-up than the Expedition; you will want a thicker deck / partner support than the original.

Just want to replace that aluminum plate with quick and dirty ply plate, secured similarly but with big washers or single aluminum strip "washers" on top of plate.

3/4 ply not enough? Easily doubled but still wonder if effective mast/hull contact points on Laser tube are more than a few mm squared.

The expo sail is bigger/taller/fatter/draggier which doesn't necessarily tell about load.

 

[Steam Flyer]

Just want to replace that aluminum plate with quick and dirty ply plate, secured similarly but with big washers or single aluminum strip "washers" on top of plate.

3/4 ply not enough? Easily doubled but still wonder if effective mast/hull contact points on Laser tube are more than a few mm squared.

The expo sail is bigger/taller/fatter/draggier which doesn't necessarily tell about load.

I did a similar thing on a Force 5 decades back, and I made a fiberglass tube from scratch to form the partners. It was 3~4" long and extend for half that above the deck level, which aroused threats of protesting at class races; but the problem to avoid is having the mast dimple or crease from pressure at a too-narrow point. Once that begins, it folds up.

3/4" may be enough spread, but would doubling it right where the mast goes thru be too big a hassle to avoid the risk?

It's a good idea to power up an Expedition IMHO, I've thought about putting something like a Hanson rig on one.

 

[valcour2]

Hey! I recognize that photo!

Dex,

I’ve been thinking about something similar if/when my mast and furler craps out. I have a spare of both, so hopefully I can keep the original design going for a while. I’ve also contemplated making a new, more robust furler from scratch.

On your deck play replacement, I would consider using G10 cut to the same shape as the aluminum plate. And also cut a second G10 “donut” and bond it to the underside of the plate to double the thickness at the deck level partners. You could also do the same with plywood, but if you’re looking to do something fairly long lasting, I would use Brunzeel ply or similar. It’s a relatively small piece, so you could probably source an offcut from a boat shop that builds with that.

If you only want to test the idea, use some for marine ply.