On Feb 26, 4:00 pm, mcamirand wrote:
On Feb 26, 6:48 pm, Two meter troll wrote:



On Feb 26, 2:53 pm, max camirand wrote:

Hi group,

I'm wondering what wood to use for an unstayed mast (junk rig). I have
the book Practical Junk Rig here. The authors (British) recommend
Scots Pine as the best, but a Canadian government publication tells me
that Canadian Scots Pine is a much lower-quality wood than that grown
in Europe, on account of inferior seeds having been used to introduce
them here. They also recommend larch, of which we have plenty.

I have access to several woodlots with appropriately-sized trees, so
I'd appreciate a recommendation on what wood to use. I'd like to get
it cut before the sap starts to flow back into the trees this spring.

Alternatively, I know of a telephone pole factory that could sell me
my sticks, but I'm not sure how well I could control what species I'd
get in that case.

Regards,
-Maxime

first: are they to be hollow or solid?

second: how big a boat are you putting them on?

third: how tall are the planned masts?

+++++

Hollow or solid? Solid. I will shape the poles I cut.

What size boat? 37 ft.

How tall? Two masts, both keel-stepped (obviously). One around 35ft
long, one around 30ft, maybe a little less. I haven't decided on the
exact dimensions yet. Since it's not the designed rig for the boat, I
have to draw it myself. I'm going on rough dimensions now. I figure
it's best to cut the masts and start seasoning them now, since it
takes a heck of a long time.

Regards,
-Maxime

then you are going to want to go with stiff lite and strong. so given
your normal forest mix in the east that would be white or yellow cedar
(depending on how high you are north). red is to flexible and larch is
bloody heavy. would go with larch if i was building a hollow mast
cause i think a bit of extra weight is not bad. of course you can
adjust it when you shape so larch might be fine. IMO in any of these
the important bit is going to be getting as old a tree as you can get.
anyhow thats my thoughts on it. I am sure other folks will be along
shortly.