Hi Guys,
Anyone have any ideas on how best to fit mast hound fitting to aluminium mast, 1.6mm wall thickness ? My current mast has a bolt through the end holes of the hounds side-plates which goes through the luff-groove track of the mast, and two rivets each side at the mast hound shackle-point, but I`ve found that the side-plates have bent away from the mast and the bottom of the shackle-point has actually rotated downward, denting the front of the mast at point of contact.
I have another hound fitting which has been beefed up and want to use that instead - but it has shorter sides, similar to the one on Macca`s Taipan 5.7. (see attached pic).
My question is : Are 3 rivets each side strong enough to cope with the loads imposed by the rig as well as two sailors out on the wire ? We`ve always used a bolt at the end hole, but I don`t want a bolt-hole through the mast section itself as it`s more difficult to seal than a rivet (my opinion). If it works on the T5.7 it should work on a 16ft "miniature Tornado", any opinions ?
My alu mast is 1.6 mm thick in the wall and I use 6 monel rivets (4.9 mm) to secure the hound fitting. It is still upw there. And my rig is probably noticeable more powerful than your rig. I would take the plunch and use the 6 monel rivets. (NOT plain alu rivet NOT stainless steel, but Monel)
Wouter
Thanks for confirmation Wouter. I bought the Monel rivets yesterday, having a boat shop within walking distance from my office is a bad thing for my wallet ! 
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I figured if it works on The carbon mast of Macca`s T5.7 it should be adequate for the Mozzie, as the loads should be a lot less.
Steve