Looking for info from 5.2 owners that had or have removed the mid tramp tube. I am interested in removing mine and am looking for some insite on what works and what not to do. Don't need to reinvent the wheel.

Thanks,
Carl

I think this tube can safely be removed, at least I seem to recall that. Otherwise contact Jake Kohl he should know this. I do know for certain that be removing the tube the beams are freed up to rotate in their beamlanding. Over here the sailors simply drilled a small hole in the straps and beams and put a blind rivet in or a small bolt to secure the beams in a fixed position rotational wise.

Wouter

Wouter's right - Although I had a 5.2 with a knee knocker I never removed it. The idea behind that strut is to prevent the beams from being able to rotate so structurally it doesn't do anything. I've heard of several cases where folks drilled through the beam strap to install a small rivet or stainless screw. Personally, this idea made me nervous since those beam straps are not terribly thick or wide. Future revisions had an aluminum plate inside the hull just under the beam that would receive a bolt from the inside of the beam. I did get used to that bar and I actually missed it when I first went to a 6.0NA - it is a convenient foot rest when surprised by a puff...and you really miss it the first couple of puffs. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />