Wyatt,

(Thanks for the subject line .. I was beginning to wonder )

I came to the same conclusion about the universal joint ...it wasn't made with the H-18 in mind ... it's a cool looking mechanism and set-up, and I hate to "reinvent the wheel"... but I just can't see it going on ...i"ll let you know if I come up with anything ...

Thanks to all for dissuading me of using other than the pole to self right ... back to driving myself crazy ...

Windsurf masts ... There was a "yard sale" at a local windsurf/kiteboard shop (Hamptons WIndsurfing in Southampton, NY I think) ..I strolled thru specifically looking for a mast and came up with a two piece one in decent shape for $25, so I have that ... I asked a few garage/yard sale friends to keep their eyes open, but that didn't pan out ...

Oh...and I found out about the garage sale on rec.windsurfing Newsgroup ... maybe there's something (shop, sale, etc) near you ..

Oh #2 ... if you wanted to go carbon fiber they had them as well, but they were a tad expensive.

Thanks

Gary