Mast

[ray275]

Managed to move the masts Main and mizzen from boat yard to home - After removing fittings on mizzen BIG ROT so will replace with new Spruce? Douglas Fir? any suggestions? The surviving mast looks good and made the trip strapped to a fairly short wheel base truck ( her in doors almost p---d herself with fright). Question. Shall I soak the mast, after sanding, with Cuprinol 5Star treatment, then use sanding sealer and then five coats of the French Varnish Torquinos.
Thanks Ray T

 

[Peterduck]

Taking masts home by car can be one of those 'adventures' that are better in the retelling than at the time. I almost removed a traffic direction sign when I did it.
As to what timber to replace it with, the old response "Well, it depends . . . ." fits. A racer with a 55ft hollow stick would be more fussy than a smack with a solid 30ft stick 8" diameter at the butt. You really do need a durable softwood [conifer]. Douglas fir is the most commonly used timber for spars, but it isn't the only one by a long shot. You may find that availability and cost may shape your decision for you.
Peter.

 

[dur]

Don't know if the 5 star will upset the varnish. Do you really need it if any dodgy bits are cut out and replaced? 7 plus coats of Le Tonk. Bootiful.

 

[nrorke]

Cuprinol 5 star will have no ill effects on subsequent varnishing.

 

[nrorke]

Why do people put so many coats of varnish on? I know it looks good, but there is more to a wooden boat than that! Maintainance is a significant factor. Do you get a better seal from the weather with 7 coats of varnish than with 4? If the coat fails it is as likely to be through impact damage as wear. extra coats don't help much to prevent this, and if there are so many coats to sand down to get back to wood to repair impact damage, you might regret putting them all on. Next year's 'light sand and varnish will add more anyway, and the year afters too.

 

[AuntyRinum]

I'm planning to get my mast off this winter, completely strip what's left of the varnish and oil it instead. Fed up with trying to maintain the varnish.
Does anybody have any thoughts on whether oil will protect it properly?

 

[dur]

"Why do people put so many coats of varnish on? "

I like varnishing - strange eh? Also I like the barley-sugar look on the mast. Helps distract the eye fom the rest of the boat.

You do get better UV protection with a few more coats but its true that if you get a chip you have to build up the varnish again in that area . A quick sand and one coat every year keeps it looking good and makes you inspect it properly.