Importance

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Abstract

A wind propelled boat of the sailboard type, in which a generally cone-shaped sail mounting member is secured on an upper part of the boat, on the centerline of the boat. A portion of the cone-shaped member is designed to receive the base of the mast of the boat, such that the mast will be movable only for a limited angular extent in the cone-shaped member. Preferably, a mast step tube is utilized in the cone-shaped member, with the base of the mast received in the mast step tube. The mast or mast step tube is secured in the apex of the cone-shaped member, with the arrangement permitting a swivel type motion, with angular deflections of the mast being effectively limited by the cone-shaped member. Preferably, the mast securing arrangement also permits rotation of the mast such that the sail can be reefed. Either an apex up or an apex down version of the cone-shaped member can be employed in accordance with this invention, and a slidable collar arranged to contact interior portions of the cone-shaped member can be utilized on the mast or mast step tube in order that the angle of mast deflection can be selected and controlled within certain limits.

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First Claim