VHF antennae for masthead use are of the thin wire type, and are mounted on a piece of aluminium channel section extending out from the masthead so that interference with the light is minimal.

However, you only need a masthead antenna for maximum range. A stern rail mounted antenna is fine for talking to harbour authorities and checking on other vessels' intentions, etc.

It's helpful if some light will shine on a mechanical wind indicator. Electrical anemometers are usually mounted forward and below the masthead, because they don't need to be seen, but a Windex or similar goes on the aft side, with as thin a support as possible, and then interruption of the stern sector of the light is minimal.

I have an Aquasignal tri-white LED  light, which is OK.

Graeme

Since most sailors have their own setup in their mast tops, I didn’t write in detail how the wind indicator should be attached. If it is attached to a 20-25cm tall stick above the mast, I bet the lee ribbon will start flying straight as well (the original plan), although I found the weather ribbon to give sufficient information to keep the right heading when fully close-hauled. That was the whole idea with it.

In my case the wind indicator is attached with two stubs of 20mm tubes being butt-joined; splinted together with three strips of aluminium, held by hose-clamps. If I were to fit the top lantern I originally planned, I am sure I could make a combined bracket for the lantern and wind indicator.
There is always a way. Even the second-best way is normally good enough.

Arne

Annie Hill wrote: I've always crossed the topping lifts in front of the mast and never had a problem with chafe on the mast lift from the topping lift.

I've used the PJR way of fastening the topping lift, as described by Annie, on four boats now, and am about to fit the same setup to the fifth. The advantage with it is that i brings the topping lifts down a bit, which reduces the chances for the yard to fall farward of the topping lifts when the sail is dropped or reefed deeply. I have never seen any signs of chafe on the mast (painted or glassed wood)

Arne

David Tyler wrote: I think what's meant is that if the topping lifts cross in front of the mast, and the mast lift is on the port side, the port side topping lift and the mast lift will cross each other and will rub and chafe. If the port topping lift is attached at the port side, to the same point as the mast lift, there's no problem.

Got my aluminum masthead crane welded up yesterday to go on to the 3+ foot wood topmast of the hybrid mast. Had to add that when I went from a tabernacled to a keel stepped plan. The ¼ inch top plate overhangs the mast similar David's. The tube is only 1/8 inch so I wanted a larger welding surface that the overhang gave. It also allows me to option of hanging U bolts or welded closed eye bolts. I went with larger gussets/ tangs that I will drill like Arne's. The 4 are set at 90 degrees and will be 45 degrees off of fore and aft . I uploaded photos to a newly made album but it doesn't show up on my profile page as I expected. The aft tangs are for the halyard. The forward ones are for lazyjacks to be joined forward of the mast. I planned to use the port tang to double for the mast lift. PJR seems to say that in that position it may be in the way of the lazyjacks but I can't visualize that. Would this work? If not any easy solution is to add and eyebolt from the top plate at 90 degrees.