25mm Track for whisker pole - enough?

[Rosie1963]

I would like to get the whisker pole (15ft) off the deck and use the Hiscocks technique of using very ong track up the mast and using tackle to store it up ended. I cant afford bronze track, so sadly will need to use aluminium T track - do you think 25mm which seems to be the standard AWB spec - will be enough screwed into a hollow silver spruce mast?

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

FWIW
I would be reluctant to screw directly into silver spruce, especially when I do not know the thickness. Personally, I would bore holes in the face of the spruce, at least 4 times the diameter of the screws at the correct position of the screws and then glue some hardwood plugs using either resorcinol or else epoxy as a second choice. These plugs would hold the screws more securely.

As for the track itself, I have sandwiched brass strips to replicate a Tee-section track, using a 3x25 strip over a 4x20 'base'. It is quite easy to do but requires a drill stand for accurate drilling and countersinking. As for the screws I use stainless self-tapping because I find that they grip better than woodscrews...and are much cheaper!

 

[Rosie1963]

That is a good suggestion. I have lots of spare iroko from a dinghy build, so instead of drilling out, I might mount the track on an iroko strip that is epoxied to the full length of the track position - the ends of the iroko can be made proud to form stops. The mast is back to bare wood, so gluing on will be quick. Next step is the Coelan......

 

[Kukri]

I second the idea of gluing a hardwood batten to the spruce and screwing into that.

Just a thought, regarding Puff the Magic Dragon's good idea, but a well known purveyor of classic marine bits, not far from you or I, can often be persuaded to allow the competent to use his workshop - including a drill press...