Aloha All,
Did not mean to imply Lady Luck had an aluminum mast, rather trying to make a point about originality and class uniformity. Nick managed to dispell that rumour of the metal mast quite nicely. I could've written carbon just as easily. Carbon and metal masts take quite a penalty in the european circuit.
Speaking of metal masts, while rereading LFH's The Complete Cruiser, I see that Weldon seems to think wood masts are not a problem in thunderstorms--wonder what the insurance claims folks have to say about that.
Ran across an old letter from a former S-Class sailor who said that HMCo carried a number of spares and the Hawaii fleet bought a bunch of them after the '38 Hurricane. Which led me to wonder does anyone know of a stash of masts anywhere? Fred called me a while back letting me know that BBY had an old Pelican mast. Which would make a nice back up.
Nick, as for colors, I would not get too racked over the color choice, Capt Nat's Alerion was a now famous green. I think his quote about black and white was about Cup boats. Moreover, if you take Maynard Bray's advice you'll use a new topcoat or two every year rather than the abuse we favor our glass boats with.
BTW, if you have not seen it, Maynard did a nice blog on a good, reasonable paint (Marshall's Cove) out of Seattle about 18 months ago over at Off-Center Harbor.com.
http://www.offcenterharbor.com/2012/05/03/new-paint-you-should-know-about/.
Also, think your solution to have a reproduction of the plate made is a grand idea.
Keep sending the photos and writing about your adventure, it's great to see your progress.