Morgan Ohlson ) writes:
I don't really feel comfortable to buy a very worn mast. I don't find that
worth it since I gonna sail in no-mans-land, Scandinavic northern nature
preservations under harsh conditions.
you can make a strong substantial hollow box mast with solid front and back
and plywood sides, or if you have the tools a "bird's mouth" or similar
hollow solid wood mast, spruce being the preferred material. you'll see
in the literature or on the Internet that the top third should be tapered as
you want less weight aloft to prevent heeling. If you use a gaff, lug, or
sprit rig the mast won't be as tall as a bermudan rig so the weight won't
matter as much. There are plenty of these home made masts on home built boats.
the only advantage of the bermudan rig is the marconi style, ie a tall
mast, to get more lift along the leading edge of teh sail for going
upwind. you don't really want a low aspect bermudan as you will be paying
more for less performance than you could get with a cheaper rig. crusiers
don't need the bermudan rig, racers do for the upwind advantage as races
tend to be won or lost on the upwind leg.
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