mast construction and steps

[JeffM]

This week I finish the seats. Since my sails are on order from Graham, I'm beginning now to think about masts. And after my recent mast tube adventure, I'm more than ready to ask for help AHEAD OF TIME!

Two questions:

(1) I can't believe that simply wrapping tape around my two upper mast sections for bearings is going to automatically give me straight masts. Are there any tricks to this? (I don't have any very large perfectly flat work space -- garage and basement are a bit bumpy.) How will I get the bearings to come out perfectly round, and how will I know when to stop wrapping?

(2) How can I install my mast steps so they are vertical (side to side)? At the moment I'm working in my garage and just have clearance for the 8' lower sections. I'd figured maybe to locate the mizzen step and base of the mast tube with the kingplank and thwart already in place, and use plumb bobs to establish vertical and rake. (Or maybe fix the bottom of the mast tube and nudge the kingplank?)

[PJPiercey]

When I did mine I wrapped on a little extra tape. Then I rigged up my router as kind of a poor mans lathe. This got it perfectly round. I left a little room for the epoxy primer and the final paint.

Paul

[Tom Lathrop]

If you wrap the tape with the same tension all around and note where you start and end, it will be concentric enough. It will need some sanding anyway and this will need to be done uniformly. All of the many masts I have seen made came out ok. Using your good router bits on fiberglass can make them useless for woodworking.

Before you can worry about getting the mast vertical, you need to establish that the boat is level transversely and longitudinally. Then just use a spirit carpenter's level on the lower mast section to establish the location of the step.

[JeffM]

Thanks to you both! I'm thinking of hanging a weight from the tape and rotating the mast tube to wrap with even tension, then if necessary rigging a sort of lathe with my grinder to make it round.

After fooling with it, I think the level and plumb will do nicely for aligning my masts.