I'm planning on sending someone up the mast to attach my new tubular radar reflector to the backstay.
The manufacturer recommends using cable ties and I bought a backage of black cable ties which are supposed to be UV resistant. However, any kind of plastic will eventually deteriorate and I was thinking of using some monel wire as a back-up to keep the device from going into the water when the plastic eventually weakens .
The backstay is stainless steel and I don't know what the monel wire is. My concern is whether the two metals should be mixed. I'd hate to do something that might weaken the backstay.
BTW: The old radar reflector now serves as a low altitude bird deflector and it seems pretty effective! I hang it from the end of the boom when I'm away from the boat.
Phill Klein
Andiamo #977
Montrose Harbor - Chicago
Monel is a copper/nickel alloy. It is recommended for marine applications and should have no interaction with the stainless steel in the backstay.
Jim Kane