I'm using 1 1/2" (outer diameter) square aluminum tubing sourced from Seitech, the company that makes beach dollies and racks for Lasers, etc.. I'm not sure of the exact gauge but the walls on this aluminum is fairly thick. The small 8 inch "T" section will rest on the hull right above the daggerboard well. I'm still mulling over the dagger board well insert but I'm leaning towards simply screwing on a shortened stainless steel hinge and covering it with Plastidip to help reduce the possibility of scratches. Thoughts?
The length of the pole is 7 feet plus 1 1/2" for the "T". As you can see in the pics, I cut the "T" end at roughly a 20 degree angle so it will rest fairly flat against the hull when the pole is angled up and secured in its righting position.
I'm getting the "T" welded on tomorrow. Once that is finished I'll fill the inside of the pole with expanding foam for flotation and glue 3M anti-slip tape on the "climbing" side of the pole. I'm going to lace a lacrosse head mesh underneath the front of the tramp to make a storage pocket and bungie the "T" end underneath the rear cross bar/dead eye. When its all said and done the pole will weigh about 10 pounds. I just hope it floats! More pics to come.....
Here's the angled hacksaw cut for the "T"....
You get the general idea.....
Angled "T" should help reduce side-to-side sway when I'm out on the pole (I think??)....