by GreenLake » Sun Dec 11, 2022 10:41 pm
Jim,
anything that will withstand 600# or more, should be fine for the purpose. The nominal tension on the shrouds is around 200#, double that and add the forestay and that is roughly the constant compression. Use a bit of a safety factor and you have the requirement.
Because the piece is so short, you won't run into complications from buckling, so many materials will have the required strength. That means, you'll be looking at two additional considerations. One would be the way load is transferred, so you need a cap on top and a base/platform at the bottom (details depend on what's already there in your boat). The other is resistance to rot or corrosion. With wood, you could try sealing it with undiluted epoxy and wrapping it a layer or two of fiberglass cloth. If you're lucky, that will seal it completely, but if it isn't sealed or not sealed perfectly, the most likely scenario is for it to rot.
That makes wood problematic to screw into, because you'd need to be sure to seal all those holes. It can be done, but it requires an extra step. There are some materials, like star board that are rot resistant. Another option would be pre-cast sheets of fiberglass (G-10 is a brand name), or you just laminate something yourself on your bench.
For the post, I think you are on the right track. A sturdy bit of PVC or ABS pipe sounds perfect. The hull is pretty solid down there, so perhaps it wouldn't need reinforcement, just good shaping for maximum contact.
If you cut your cuddy floor near/in front of the mast, one thing to consider is whether you might want to make it so you can insert a shallow rectangular pan, instead of a regular lid. That pan could be sized to fit the base of a battery, if that's something you'll ever want on your boat. Some people use these for a trolling motor, or as a source of electricity for a number of purposes while cruising or camping. Not sure that fits your intended use of the boat, but if it does, it would take care of battery storage.
~ green ~ lake ~ ~