Jan, it certainly sounds like you've been busy! And you've got to be learning a lot about boats. I don't know all the mathematics of it but I wonder with that longer keel if you will need as much weight? As the keel lengthens, is the same weight necessary? Or, to put this another way, if you used your original keel (and weight) surely you would gain MORE effect because of the length? A stainless keel would sure be pretty...but obviously lighter.

If your new mast is CF, can you drill holes for your spreaders and epoxy them in place and via the epoxy almost regain the original strength? Or will epoxy even stick to CF?

Obviously I'm shooting in the dark here.[&:]

Don't listen to me, Jan. But I'm glad you got a digi camera. They sure make taking pictures and sharing them a snap. If you email them as .jpeg files, they are so small that they go over the net in a flash. Email me some good stuff.

jim