On the LLM has anyone tried inserting a tube into the mast step rising vertically up about 1.7m, then attaching a windsurfing rig to it just below where the boom is attached, and some sort of foot plate at the base? Like the Iceflyer and what Sylk was trying but without the guy ropes. I don't see the loading at the mast base as being much different to the usual method. For me it would mean I could use rdm rigs. Also easy to vary the rake of the sail.
Whoops - looking back at the threads I see this is exactly what Benboulder suggested last year.
I also didn't realise Sylks experiment had no support pole at all.
I made a radio controlled model to try the idea out. The sail is an old experimental one but the idea is the same.
On the real yacht the pole could be made from an old mast and it could be shorter but the loads will be higher. Not sure how to make the attachment on to the mast - it probably should be free so that the mast can take the bend it wants.
