Mast Question

[Denis Goyette]

I have been looking around to find the proper 4X4 for my mast but I am out of luck .4X4 Fir is not available where i live and the 4X4 spruce are not kiln dried , I have already purchased some but quick after it started to twist. The only thing I could come with that is 4X4 in the dimension required and kiln dried is Western cedar or eastern cedar.

WHAT TO DO???

I thought about laminating 2x4, but it seem so much easier to get the 4x4 and follow the direction from the plan.

Your thoughts PLEASE :?

[normoose]

Hello,

I always use 2 - laminated 2x4s with crowns opposing each other and a 1/2"x1/2" groove cut down the middle. This makes a very strong spar.

Hope that this helps.

Norm :roll:

[JTam]

Denis,

I had to laminate my mast stub because I couldn't get any decent lumber in the 4x4 dimension. I believe the laminated stub is stronger than the a solid piece, and it has none of the stress cracks you often get with the latter not to mention cheaper. For the rest of my mast, I used the bird's mouth method.

[Denis Goyette]

Thanks for the quick reply, great answer,

Would Hemlock be any good?

[ken connors]

http://messing-about.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5415

I posted this last week, it might help

[Pat Mellema]

Denis

I used western red cedar for mine and have had no problem with it. It is lighter than the other kinds of wood I could find. I have been out in up to 20 knot winds and it is not a problem.

[normoose]

Plain old clear spruce 2X4s with 1/2" plywood center is sufficient for such a short mast.

Only an opinion but you can take 2 flat but crowned 2X4s and glue them together with crowms opposing each other with a 1/2" plywood center and exceed the strength of a solid spar.

---------------------------------

"I am an adventurer by fate, not by choice."- V. V. Gogh

[normoose]

You can find clear sprue 2 X4s. I have done it and will continue until the mast exceeds...say 16' or so. Saves time and money. These are pocket yachts not deep water cruisers, although each builder has to satify his or her own estetic end results and be safe at the same time.

I build these small boats cheaply but when done, I am completely confident and satified with my work and the safety by design.

Thanx for your input.

[normoose]

Two 16' 2X4s are less expensive than a 16' 2X8 every day and I will spend my time scrounging thru the stack of twisted sisters that you find in the pile of 16' 2X4s.