[TowerTalk] Freestanding tower, narrow city lot

[jimlux]

John E. Cleeve wrote:
> 	I have been following the contributions on this topic with interest.
>>From the practical point of view, if there is insufficient space to provide
> a 45 degree angle for the supporting guys for a mast/tower, could the guying
> method used to provide support for a ship or yacht mast be considered? 
> 
> 	With the restricted beam of a yacht, for example, the mast requires
> considerable support to withstand the forces applied when all the sails are
> rigged and full of wind. A "cross beam" at a point high up on the mast
> allows for the support guys to change direction and be rerouted to fixings
> on either side of the hull. However, not having any experience in sailing or
> boatbuilding, I am not sure of the conditions whereby a yacht can lose a
> mast when under sail. Perhaps we have some marine architects among the group
> who could provide the answers. 
> 


Sure.. the tradeoff is that the "base width" of the tower (from stay to 
stay) will be wider than for just the mast.  Similar to how a 
freestanding tower works.

The loads in the stays and the tower itself will typically be quite 
high, compared to a conventional self supporter or a guyed tower.  On a 
boat, where there's no choice, you design for it and go ahead.