I've got my design for my A-frame mast-raising system (sick and tired of stepping the mast by hand). Looking for some advice with the following:

1. What material to use. I'm thinking T-6061 Aluminum or 316 stainless steel. Corrosion resistance will be important since it sits outside year-round.

2. A cheap place to get the tubing. Naturally as a cat-sailor, doing this cheaply is paramount. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

3. The thickness for each tube. I've calculated the angular loads on the frame to be no more than 200-pounds (140-pounds is a more realistic number). The design calls for 2" square tubing for the A-frame and then a 2-piece telescoping part welded on top. The P-18.2 mast hinges sideways and I want to get the mast on the "gin pole" up high enough to limit the stress on the forestay mount, but be able to retract it on down to unclip from the frame and attach to the bridal wires. I don't know how strong say, 1/8" T-6061 is.

Appreciate it! This will actually be a fairly cool project if I can get it off the ground on budget. I can e-mail some scale pics if anyone "in the know" thinks it would help. Thanks! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />