Difference between wooden and alu mast

[tomdmx]

I'm enquiring about the cutting down of a possible alu mast to replace a wooden, but I'm curious as to the advantages of an alu mast over a wooden mast....my current mast is wooden and in decent condition but I'm planning an atlantic crossing and thought that its wiser to swap to an alu (but cost of doing this is becoming an issue)...

 

[Tranona]

Aluminium is generally lighter, cheaper and much less maintenance. Lightness can improve stability and being hollow it allows inside halyards which reduces windage. There is nothing wrong with a wooden mast if it is properly designed and built, but it does need good protection for both cosmetic reasons and to prevent rot, particularly where hardware is attached and water can get behind fittings.

 

[sailorman]

Aluminium is generally lighter, cheaper and much less maintenance. Lightness can improve stability and being hollow it allows inside halyards which reduces windage. There is nothing wrong with a wooden mast if it is properly designed and built, but it does need good protection for both cosmetic reasons and to prevent rot, particularly where hardware is attached and water can get behind fittings.

not all wooden masts are solid

 

[DownWest]

Your profile gives no indication of the type or age of your boat. Is it masthead or fractional rig? How old is the standing rigging and what material? Cutting down a section implies it is bigger than you need. We did this a while back, but they were second hand (un-used) and a good price. The boat was a chunky motor sailing ketch, so the result looked ok.

Bit more info would help. And I wonder how many wooden masts fail compared to ally? ( assuming in good condition)
DW

 

[nevis]

not all wooden masts are solid

If i remember correctly didn,t PBO do an article on making a hollow wood mast in the 80s
it was cheap to make and very strong and lightweight as it was hollow

 

[DownWest]

not all wooden masts are solid

Well yes, but they usually are at the hounds and other high stress areas. I have yet to see internal halyards on wooden masts.

Coat ready for the flood of replies....

 

[DownWest]

If i remember correctly didn,t PBO do an article on making a hollow wood mast in the 80s
it was cheap to make and very strong and lightweight as it was hollow

Look up 'birdsmouth masts'. My little one is built this way, and the bigger one will be as well. Carbon fibre can be indroduced in the mix to stiffen up the result. Very easy type of construction. But, still has solid bits where the bolts go through.
DW

 

[Tranona]

not all wooden masts are solid

Yes, I know being the proud owner of a 50 year old hollow wooden mast - but still heavier than an ali mast (and much better looking)

 

[tomdmx]

So my yacht is cumulant 31 a long fin keel steel sloop cutter rigged , 31 feet plus a 5 ft bowsprit..
Someone 'sold me' the idea that I should really not consider crossing an ocean without swapping out for an alu mast...

So as someone pointed, I wonder how many more or less wooden mast failuers were experienced as opposed to alu....

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

What wooden mast is it; hollow rectangular or solid round? boat type / height of mast, condition of mast fittings? In the main, aluminium masts are superior in every way, apart from the beauty of the wood (if looked after)

 

[tomdmx]

Its a solid sqaureish type and just under 10m tall...

 

[DownWest]

If the condition is OK and to the designers spec. Then why not concentrate on other transat matters?
Just because some guy tells you that you need an ally mast, does not mean you have to spend large sums on tweeking your rig.
DW

 

[graham]

If it is in good order why change it? Whatever the mast is made of it needs taking down and having a good look at before setting off. The holes for the bolts holding the fittings on a wooden mast can let water into the mast causing it to rot at a highly stressed place.

If on inspection the wood is all solid spend your money elsewhere.

 

[tomdmx]

That was my thinking also..I will spend first few months in the french canals anyway (taking off this july) so mast will be down and properly inspected....

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

If it is in good order why change it? Whatever the mast is made of it needs taking down and having a good look at before setting off. The holes for the bolts holding the fittings on a wooden mast can let water into the mast causing it to rot at a highly stressed place.

If on inspection the wood is all solid spend your money elsewhere.

+1 . And if the mast fittings have not caused any damage to the mast then after an inspection to prove fit for purpose, then I can not see any reason for changing it. Solid wood masts can carry a lot of loading, however, by nature, wood can be more unpredictable than aluminium.

Personally, if I was to cross the Atlantic, i would reduced my risks of failure by replacing it with a aluminium mast and new rigging.