Why are GRP gaffer masts usually wooden?

[Greenheart]

Very basic question, which I apologise for giving no forethought at all.

Cornish Crabbers, Cape Cutter, Heard 28, Memory 19, lots more, all built mainly in glassfibre but all (or almost all?) have wood masts.

They're very attractive, but is that the main reason for choosing a wood mast rather than metal, like nearly all boats that aren't retro-styled?

Is the use of wood for spars, a decision made by the heart and regretted by the head? Or is wood genuinely as good, or even better, than alloy?
.

 

[Egret]

Maybe something to do with the kind of point loading from a gaff jaw which might be at various levels or that a suitable round aluminium section just isn't available - someone from one of the builders or mast manufacturers will no doubt respond.

 

[Tranona]

Yes, there are no off the shelf aluminium masts available although some boats have used carbon masts. For straight pole masts on smallish gaff rigs wood is still cheap and easy to make plus in tune with the ethos of the boats.

 

[Aquaboy]

Surely its about looks, the boat has a traditional/retro design and an alloy mast would look out of place.

 

[Tranona]

Crabbers offered Bermudan rigged versions with alloy masts on some of their models.

 

[Laminar Flow]

Thomas Colvin, USA, designed many traditionally rigged vessels using aluminium pipe for the spars. This material is readily available in various diametres and can be easily sleeved to lengthen.
By cutting darts and welding these up, the spar may be tapered as well.

A great many of the Dutch traditional craft use steel pipe for their masts, as do most of the traditional square rigged ships these days. Both lighter and stronger than wood in the larger sizes.

 

[wombat88]

A friend bought alloy lampposts for his 40ft junk rugged ketch. Light, already tapered etc. 25 years later and they are still fine.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

A friend bought alloy lampposts for his 40ft junk rugged ketch. Light, already tapered etc. 25 years later and they are still fine.

Roger Taylor's MingMing used an alloy lamppost for the junk rig.