104 passagemaker.com July/August 2018T
he cabin top on this Downeast cruiser has been well
executed. Let’s start with the mast: The wide footprint
of the base will spread the load nicely, avoiding flex
that would invite leaks. The air horns slope downward, an
important detail that will help them drain quickly. I like the
redundancy—two GPS antennas and two VHF antennas. And
the extra elevation of the VHF antennas will extend their range
a bit, by roughly a couple of miles. The life raft has been placed
free and clear of obstructions and lends itself well to the adage,
“Always step up into the life raft.” A handrail nearby would
be helpful, though, as rough conditions might make standing
somewhat challenging. At the aft end, three flexible low-profile
solar panels have been installed. This location gives them open
exposure to sunlight and out-of-the-way protection, while
producing over 300 watts of energy.
Finally, small pennant halyards have been fitted to the
spreaders, providing a way to observe yachting etiquette when
flying courtesy flags. Q Steve ZimmermanThe Right Stuff BY STEVE ZIMMERMAN
Mast Installation
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