Folkboat Mast - Spreaders or not?

[KenMcCulloch]

I am investigating the building of a new wooden mast for Border Maid, to replace a mid-60s aluminium mast. The existing mast is deck-stepped, with spreaders on the cap shrouds, one pair of lower shrouds, and diamond stays supporting the top 1/4 of the mast. The forestay runs down from the hounds at the point where the jumper struts join the mast and the upper ends of the cap shrouds attach, and the lower shrouds go to the height of the spreaders which is also the lower attachment for the diamond stays.

The 'class rule' specifies a mast with no spreaders, just the jumper stays. I would welcome views on the wisdom of a set up like that for my boat. I would be retaining lower shrouds and the existing deck-stepped set up.

 

[Roach1948]

How likely will you race?

Another advantage of having an original set-up is that you might be able to get a standard Danish solid spruce FB mast much cheaper of the cost of making one (I looked at one for Roach before having the original one repaired). Not having spreaders means that you can still retain existing rigging as things will only get shorter, you'll just need to cut it down a bit.

If you don't go for spreaders I would certainly get a solid spruce mast as it will cope with the increased bend a lot better.

 

[Sister7]

Not sure that there is a lot of point in trying to stay 'in class' assuming you have a timber Folkboat.
Keeping spreaders and lower shrouds would allow a lighter section spar (alloy or timber) which is always good.
If you abandon current set up you would also have to consider chainplate arrangment (assuming caps are currently in line with step, and lowers are swept aft). Aft lower chainplates might take 'spreader less' cap shrouds but loading would increase on both chain plates and shrouds.
Eitherway wood looks good!

 

[Collars]

There is actually a rig plan for a 'Cruising' Folkboat, that uses lower spreaders as well as jumpers and is designed to be deck stepped in a tabernacle. The section is very slightly different to the normal rig, but it is an official Folkboat drawing. We have made only one like this over the last 10 years or so - but have the drawing in our archives somewhere.

 

[Bosunof]

Hi Ken,

Do you want to return Border Maid to original? I know that is ttempting byut have people before you made the changes for good reasons? Certainly sounds like reducing stress on the structure might be a good reason and a sensible way to go.

Need any help in the next three weeks? I aim to go back to Norway then and have till then to assist, if you need help that is.