Thread: A couple of questions on Yellowtail masts.

Originally Posted by Dave Brewer

Would laminated spars, or ones shaped from single pieces of timber, be the way to go?
Best timber,Oregon or Huon? Finally,is it worth using that fiddly WEST clearcoat on spars or would Deks Olje or decent varnish be adequate?
Cheers,
Dave.

What do the plans say Dave?

When Mik designed the yawl rig for me, he specified a hollow, square main mast, solid square mizzen mast and rounded solid spars - I was planning to do the mizzen in two bits glued in the middle but everything else out of solid, one piece timber but to be honest, haven't really though about it much on the grounds that I won't worry about it until needing to make it.

It might be an idea to describe the rig you're using and the rough sizes of the spars so those who know something about spars (which I don't) but who don't know the Yellowtail can give some guidance.

Richard

Epoxy coat and then high quality varnish would be my choice, but I've no experience with the oils. The oils do have a good name so I suspect you'd have no problems with either.

Richard

David specified clear oregon or spruce,4.2m stayed mast from 60x60,3.0m boom from 45x45,1.6m gaff from 32x32.I was interested in whether there was a preferred practice in spar construction,and an optimum species(not wanting a second mortgage for spruce).
Dave.

The best species for a stayed rig, is one that is light weight, preferably under 25 pounds per cu. foot. It would be nice if it took glue well and had reasonable fastener holding power too. Oregon is a fairly heavy species for spars (about 32 pounds per cu. ft.), but if it's all you can get . . .