Today the first step (the mast step) was laminated. 3 layers of plywood 16mm (A100) glewed in the front section and laminated with 2 layers of 300gr roving + 1 layer of 450gr roving. Will be reinforced when laminating the partner for the sleeve in the correct angle.
I wonder if I should put a metal plate to the bottom, or if epoxy laminate will be strong enough to withstand the hammering of the mast.
I decided to work with a 200/5mm aluminum tube as sleeve for the mast.
Is there any experience how to pull the mast out once it should be filled with moulding PU in the sleeve, any separator advice? Or rather use wedges?
More questions to arise...
From memory, when David Tyler decided to remove the mizzen mast from
Tystie, which had been held in place with Spartite, he ended up cutting the mast off at deck level, as it wouldn't budge. I have heard that if you have tapered partners, and use a release agent, or even a plastic film, you should be able to knock it out from below with a rubber mallet. If you are going to place your mast inside that alloy sleeve, then I suggest that, if you want to remove it again, you'd be better off using softwood wedges. On
Arion, I used western red cedar wedges and it proved to be an ideal material.