[scotwagner]

Thanks for the reply. Here are my thoughts on rinky-dink: I know not if the boom length is the same; and nor does the owner. And wall thicknesses? Is the Catalina mast the proper wall thickness for the stresses and strains it now experiences? What's the taper? Does it matter? Are the Catalina masts deck-stepped because it is now. The original spruce mizzen spreaders were swept back; now they are straight. The tri-stay situation is of interest as well. Is it in the proper place in relation to the main? Hell, I don't even know if the old mast and the Catalina heights are the same! The deal is the owner is one of those lads who thinks he is seriously mechanically inclined; and perhaps he is on land. However, when it comes to this yacht he has TOTALLY mickey moused everything and thinks it's world class! Intersting to note: the replacement took place in New Zealand while on a serious bluewater cruise. He sailed her from Seattle to Hawaii, then all through the south seas, and then to NZ and back. He did this with the original rigging! The rigging has NEVER been replaced. The factory rigging on Taiwan boats was suspect new; much less 24 years old! Well.....I think you get my point! Cheers, Scot