dorienc wrote:
2. If you don't use the halyard for a jib snorkel, you could make a sleeve to cover the comp tip and haul it up. Even if you do use a jib snorkel, you might be able to do the same thing with some careful and clever rope work.
Not sure how you'd manage to get the sleeve hoisted above the mast tang....
Seaside wrote:
but what can happen to the mast? I'd hate to find out the hard way! Thanks much.
The UV will eventually break down the fiberglass. The outside of the comptip will start to fade and eventually small fiberglass splinters will develop on the outside (you'll notice this when you handle the mast, you'll feel small bits of fiberglass sticking in your hands). Over enough time, the comptip could fail. Note that there are tons of comptips on boats that are 30+ years old that look bad but are still sailing, so it takes a long time for the mast to break down, if it ever does. But the best course of action is to cover the mast (either with a fabric cover or with paint) to block out sunlight.
sm