I am planning on making some pretty large modifications to my Bimare A-cat by adding a f18 spinnaker, which will be flattened slightly by my sailmaker.

I am going to run an additional carbon fiber crossmember between the hulls forward of the mast, through which the bowsprit will run, the inboard end of the pole will be secured to the forward existing crossbeam via carbon fabricated bracket, or aluminum, thereby allowing the bowsprit to be self supporting absent the mast, and also adding lateral support to the hulls.

I plan on using a flattened f18 chute, which will likely require a new tang be installed roughly five feet below the top of the mast.

My question is, how can i strengthen the mast to support the huge increase in load, especially considering the fact the mast rotates? If it were stationary, i would simply move the diamond stay spreaders aft and tension to force a bend in the mast (causing the energy to travel down the tube instead of across it, which would ultimately snap it)

But since it rotates, i am a bit perplexed. Could i, assuming the chute pulls sideways across the mast, just install perhaps a longer spreader, keep it centered and increase the tension on the diamond stays?

Finally, any thoughts on the sufficiency of the side stays ability to support the rig?

I weigh 225 lbs, and the hulls are carbon/kevlar.


Thanks.


By the way, this has been done a few times before, one with rigid support of the bowsprit, another with just cable between the bows and mast. The latter scares me....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvdnrt39b8U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_dBbk6iCjk