Gooseneck design question

[memelet]

Yes, I see that some of the seldon brackets are similar in design to mine, but others do wrap around (p42 I think).

It just smells to me to have a custom bracket made that for a very minor change (wrap around vs just catch the corner) would be an order of magnitude stronger. Well, at least that's my theory. I really wish I would get some more feedback on this, although I do appreciate and yours Robbie!

[Douglas]

Gosh , I am making a similar gooseneck base out of a solid aluminum block, and plan to attach it to the mast with 8 ea FH 1/4" SS machine screws. These spaced at least 7 diameters apart, or more.

I am hoping to counter-act side loads, by machining a verticle rib that fits into the sail track

Was it Nigel Calder's book that says welding structural fittings to a mast distroy's the temper of the mast and welded parts in that area ?

He commented about welding on spreader bases, with the welds going half way around the mast wall on each side .

So with this in mind, I have fabricated a complete mast and it's fittings , without welding anywhere , and mostly because competent welders in my area, are too expensive or not available.

Douglas , Singapore

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
That fitting looks pretty skookum. True, it would be moreso if it wrapped around, but not, I think to a degree corresponding to the difficulty of fabrication. The highest loads on the gooseneck would likely be when the boom is well inboard, because that's when the sail is loaded highest, so wraparoundness wouldn't seem to be as important as good fit, and firm attachment with a suitable number of large screws.
We see gooseneck weldments fail, and pins, and sometimes the clevis pins wear through the tongues, but not bolts pulling or shearing often, though we do see that sort of things with vangs, which put a lot more tension and shear load on things.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss