Mast Hoops

[Dayspring]

Does anyone have any advice about making my own wooden mast hoops? Ones off the shelf are expensive to say the least. I have a 6.5 inch diameter mast and probably need about 10. I gather Ash is used normally, but any ideas about dimentions and number of turns needed. Also fixing them in place on the mast as all the rig is on and can't lift out the mast. someone has suggested bolts as apposed to rivets as I can't think of anything more difficult than riveting them in situ!

 

[stephenh]

Try Googling 'mast hoops'... there are a good few american sites with advice.

Tried it myself many years ago , with some success and I still remember saying 'Never again!!' when I had finished.....

 

[Peterduck]

A pal of mine in Canberra, Mike Field, makes them, and because of the difference in currencies, you may find that his are quite affordable. His company is called "Wooden Boat Fittings" and their website is found at www.woodenboatfittings.com.au. Check out his catalogue. He also has two-part hoops for your situation.
Peter.

 

[cliffordpope]

Use parel balls instead, like at the gaff jaws. If you take apart one of those old car back rest things you get dozens of small wooden balls.

 

[Peterduck]

Excellent alternative! Rope hoops were known as robands, a contraction of rope-bands. These can be either tied at the sail or short-spliced and siezed to the sail luff.
Peter.

 

[Dayspring]

Thanks for the advice. I already have robands and they don't slide up and down the mast very easily. I also want hoops so I can use them in an emergency to climb the mast. Interesting idea with the parrel beads though.

 

[Simon_and_Tanja]

With regard to the Aussie website: $162 for a jack staff - this is getting ridiculous! I have to get out of my day job and retail stuff to the blue-flag set.

Who is stupid enough to pay £80 for a 2' long piece of turned wood with a cord threaded through it?

 

[Porthandbuoy]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the advice. I already have robands and they don't slide up and down the mast very easily. I also want hoops so I can use them in an emergency to climb the mast. Interesting idea with the parrel beads though.

[/ QUOTE ]

A line connecting the robands on the forrard side of the mast should help when hoisting sail. Won't help much when climbing the mast though.

 

[cliffordpope]

I thought of the beads idea for myself, then saw them in use on a big Irish repro pirate ship thing at Milford Haven.