Two piece (folding) wooden spars - is it a practical idea?

Discussion in 'Sailboats' started by laukejas, Nov 16, 2016.


  1. laukejas
    Joined: Feb 2012
    Posts: 766
    Likes: 19, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 128
    Location: Lithuania

    laukejas Senior Member

    I'm interested not only in masts, but spars in general. Most likely of them being a lateen yard.

    You're talking about a scarf joint, but my #2 is just a simple butt joint... For scarf, these ratios you provided confirm what I knew. But if one did a butt joint with a sleeve, what sleeve length should be then?

    I know that expected loads directly affect sizing and shaping of the spar (and I always do these calculations), but in this case, let's assume I simply want for the joint to be of exact strength and flexibility as the rest of the spar, whatever it is in a particular situation. Should the aluminum/fiberglass sleeve be like 10% of the spar length? Or 10 times the diameter? Or based on something else? I'm not sure what should be the minimum. Too short a sleeve, and the leverage forces will break the joint. Too long, and it adds weight and limits the total length of the spar when it is disassembled, as well as making the joint too stiff to provide a good continuation of spar bend.
     
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