Ok so why do a lot of THs have black masts n booms ? the mast step galvanised steel? Seen a pic of one it was a bit sad though not what I'd call buggered, galvanising is not an everlasting thing. No idea what mine looks like but if it's found to be a lil bit yucky in appearance I'll wire brush the bejesus out of it, smack it with rust killer, I'll hit it with zinc phosphate then epoxy enamel then I'll screw a few disc sacrificial anodes to it, I do plan to demast but not anytime soon when I do I'll have it blasted and re galvanised. This black mast has me confuzzled but.
The masts and booms are all aluminium extrusions. Painting to reduce corrosion. No idea why people like black. Totally not a good colour IMHO.
Sorry, you are talking mast step. On the Tophat that is more than just a step, it is a structural component to spread the compression load. Some owners have replaced with stainless "harbour bridge".
Replacing the bridge needs dropping the mast, so there are many bodgy repairs.
Could it be because 
Or Perhaps because the Top Hat raced in UK JOG by Illingworth was called
"Black Billy"
Just think the racing version of the Top Hat designed by Illingworth ,I think in Melb. Was called a "Cloth Cap"
You sure its not a Cloth Cap 
na , I don't think any were built.
Select to expand quoteBananabender said..
Could it be because
Or Perhaps because the Top Hat raced in UK JOG by Illingworth was called
"Black Billy"
Just think the racing version of the Top Hat designed by Illingworth ,I think in Melb. Was called a "Cloth Cap"
You sure its not a Cloth Cap na , I don't think any were built.
Don't think Illingworth raced BLACK BILLY as it was sold by the shipyard at a boat show. Top Hats have only really been an Australian thing as only 6 were built in England, don't know how many in France [the drawings were in English and French].
And yes as far as I have researched no Cloth Cap's were built, but they caused the JOG to enforce the installation of pushpits to stop anybody falling of the stern!
I am not sure why but I don't like the look of black masts on older boats
I think it is just a me thing
Regards Don
Select to expand quotenswsailor said..Bananabender said..
Could it be because
Or Perhaps because the Top Hat raced in UK JOG by Illingworth was called
"Black Billy"
Just think the racing version of the Top Hat designed by Illingworth ,I think in Melb. Was called a "Cloth Cap"
You sure its not a Cloth Cap na , I don't think any were built.
Don't think Illingworth raced BLACK BILLY as it was sold by the shipyard at a boat show. Top Hats have only really been an Australian thing as only 6 were built in England, don't know how many in France [the drawings were in English and French].
And yes as far as I have researched no Cloth Cap's were built, but they caused the JOG to enforce the installation of pushpits to stop anybody falling of the stern!
Your probably correct about black billy.
It interested me that Illingworth took advantage of the then jog rule by designing mast head rigs when fractional were the norm and headsail size was not a major consideration as was mailsail in the rules.
