SE and SX mast differences... beside the length...

What differences are there between the SE and SX mast besides SX is 18" longer ?

Do they use the same comptip?

Do the diamond wires connect at the same points?

Are the spreaders in the same locations ?

Thank you.... considering getting a SE mast, and comptip-ing it....

Rob.

Could be wrong but I think the diamonds are longer. Also all rigging is specific to the SX mast so if you change from an SX to SE you need all 3 wires or at least the sidestays and an upper forestay. They do use the same comptip. Which way are you trying to go, longer or shorter? You know longer is always better

thinking to take an SE mast, throw on a comptip and have as a spare for my SX mast... that way I can still use my same sails and standing rigging....

As has been discussed before, the location of the spreaders, upper diamond tangs and main standing rigging tang are in different locations on the SX mast vs the SE mast. You can relocate the hardware, but you'll leave behind a bunch of rivet holes that need filling.

If I understand what you're saying correctly, you're talking about converting an all-aluminum SE mast into a spare SX mast.

I'm sure it can be done (I remember there being talk about doing such a conversion back when the SX was introduced). But personally, I wouldn't touch anything until you need to. If you've got the mast and the comptip, just hold onto them, but don't go cutting a perfectly good mast apart until your current one snaps in half (not likely). Once you cut it, you can't un-cut it.

sm

srm... yes, good advice indeed... and that's what I'd planned... there's a SE mast available local and cheap, so thinking to grab it.

Otherwise.... along the same topic.... how... and where.... do you use a rivet cap ? I've got the SS rivets, and caps... but don't readily see how the rivet can pop w/the cap ?

cheers and thanks!

Rivet caps go in the hole before you put the rivet in. They need a very slightly larger hole (7/32" for a 3/16" rivet)

For example, if you were attaching a mast tang, you'd insert the rivet cap(s) first, then position the tang, then insert all the rivets (to fix position) and then pull the rivets.

Thanks MBounds.... I've got that now.

Turns out my rear crossbar had cracks just inboard of the hulls, on the aft-most side.... We just did a clean up at Ocean Springs, so I got a pristine crossbar from an 80s boat w/no corrosion...

Incidentally, heard great things about you from Ken Altman and Glenn Boldner who met you at the mid-winters.
Looking forward to meeting you at the Nats in June.

(not sure yet if I'll be sailing in them... I don't have stock SX sails, and do have the SX mast... but whatever, we'll see what works out, I've a few things in mind... otherwise... I'll work the race committee.

Cheers,
Rob.