Wooden Mast Construction

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by wonderlost, Aug 25, 2005.

  1. wonderlost
    Joined: Aug 2005
    Posts: 4
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Virgin islands

    wonderlost New Member

    I am about to build a 60 ft wooden mast to replace our current main. The original mast was constructed from a solid tree, one piece of yellow pine. It has me in the chair cursing at rot every 6 months and keeps me scarfing in patches with epoxy after chiseling at the stick that holds me. So because I can not get a whole stick again, I am going to lay up. i need advice on how to stagger the boards and scarf joints. I have 700 board feet milled at 2"x12"x20'.
    thanks
     
  2. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    If you would provide the amount of total sail area this stick is required to handle, the type of boat (light weight racer, heavy off shore cruiser, etc.), type of rig (spreader count, fractional sloop, etc.) the conditions expected in your cruising area, I can supply mast dimensions and a few different ways to build it. Drop me an email and we'll work it through. I build several masts each year and just completed a 34'er using the birdsmouth method, it weighs about 40 pounds. This is just one technique that's gaining popularity in recent years, there are a number of other methods.
     
  3. wonderlost
    Joined: Aug 2005
    Posts: 4
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    Location: Virgin islands

    wonderlost New Member

    Par, I am going to have to measure the total sail area but it can be substantial. We fly a gaff rigged main, topsail, staysail, jib and jib top from this mast. Also on long runs we add a genoa type sail on a pole. The current stick is 10% bigger than it has to be to be free standing, and we are fully rigged. No spreaders, everything attaches to hounds. Our typical cruising is in the caribbean, but I want it strong enough to cruise offshore without any doubts. weight is not an issue, and we were planning to lay up solid. time is an issue, also cash. the boat is similar to a colin archer and extremely heavy (27 tons), but of course, that is with two solid sticks. I will keep in touch
     
  4. nero
    Joined: Aug 2003
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    Location: Marseille, France / Illinois, US

    nero Senior Member

    The "Don de Vent" is a 100 ton plus, double masted, 1936 german built boat. It is planking over iron frames. They replaced a mast 6 years ago. The new masts are hollow strip planked on the lower part. Guessing it is 12 meters including that which is below deck.

    Maybe a hollow laminated mast is stronger?
     
  5. wonderlost
    Joined: Aug 2005
    Posts: 4
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    Location: Virgin islands

    wonderlost New Member

    Yes hollow is certainly to be considered, but we have had the comfort of confidence at sea with the solid, and as stated, weight is not an issue. also, I would consider my skill level more apt towards solid. I have experience building a few solid spars, but none hollow. by the way, I estimated the sail area at 1200sq ft + the main alone is 600. plus, the gaff boom must weigh 35 lbs at least.
     
  6. Audun
    Joined: May 2006
    Posts: 4
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    Location: Bergen, Norway

    Audun New Member

    Help !!!!!
    I need 2 new masts for my 85 fot galeas. One of 28 meter and one of 26 meter. Diameter above deck is 50 and 40 centimeter.
    I would prefer Oregon pine ,Pitch pine op larch. Laminated
    Who can make them !!!!!!!
     
  7. DJSwan
    Joined: Jul 2004
    Posts: 23
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    Location: Bigfork, Montana

    DJSwan woodworker

    What are the structural requirements for a wooden mast? Who's done the load calcs? What's important for a wooden mast? I know a person or two who likes carving totem poles.:)
     

  8. wonderlost
    Joined: Aug 2005
    Posts: 4
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    Location: Virgin islands

    wonderlost New Member

    Yeah, I could be a totem guy, but I just followed guidline ratios from "the gaff rig handbook" and used my mentors and the designers advice. I just built a replacement so , the dimensions were already in place. We are an inspected vessel, and the coast guard inspected my work on a daily basis, including my plans. So I am going to let the totem work its magic.
     
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