THIS WON'T HAPPEN THIS YEAR!
I'm considering replacing my massive wooden mast with carbon (again), this time for the express purpose of buying some space below and more ease in unstepping / stepping.
I know that a larger diameter tube is stronger and more rigid, all things being equal, than a smaller diameter tube. All things, however, are never equal.
The existing mast is about the size of a desert plate. The main cabin in the Nor'Sea 27 is very compact. If I could free up half that mast diameter it would make a vast improvement. Say reduce the 8 to 9" diameter to a 4" diameter.
Here's the punch line: I'm looking at a 4 ton boat, probably 250 sq ft or so sail. The existing mast is maybe 30' or so LAP, 6'+ bury. So am I way off base, or is this doable?