Wooden Masts

[seashaw]

I've noticed quite a few boats with wooden masts that have the top parts of the mast unpainted or unvarnished. Is there a special reason for this or is it just a case of the top part being not being as accessable and therefore not painted as often.

Mark

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[ccscott49]

Not noticed many unppainted, unless the paint has come off, but the top part of most gaffers is normally pinted. Dont really know why, maybe tradition of the old seperate topmast?


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[Peterduck]

I have painted the top part of 'Swallow''s pole masts [above the hounds] white to make them easier to look after. I then went on to do much the same to all the spars. For the bowsprit, it makes it easier for other skippers to see that it is there, and the gaffs and booms stick out of the sail covers at their ends, and are thus still protected. I also like the appearance of it.
Peter.

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[pelorus32]

I agree with the issues raised in the other posts. The reason for having varnished rather than a painted spar (other than beauty) is so that the condition of the spar is easily visible (is it rotting, delaminated etc). However we have painted the top 10" or so of our new wooden marconi mast because it's prone to damage with external spinnaker blocks, the heads of sails etc all knocking the mast around. So whilst it's nice to see the condition of the mast it's also very important that the coating stays as intact as possible and paint seems to hold better than varnish in those situations. For the same reason the top surface of our spreaders is painted because of the high UV exposure.

Regards

Mike

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[Plum]

Re: Wooden Masts with white tops

Don't recall seeing masts unpainted or unvarnished at the top, but many are varnished up to the hounds and painted above. The reason for the latter is not completely clear but my research has uncovered two reasons. Take your pick:

1) on gaff rigged boats of old the masts were oiled or greased (often tallow) to prevent the wood from drying and to reduce friction/wear from the gaff saddle or jaws. When paints and varnishes became more widespread the earlier ones were not capable of coping with the wear of the gaff jaws so in order to reduce maintenance the masts were painted above the highest gaff jaw wear-mark or on the topmast for the same reason. Lighter colour paints proved better at reflecting the heat/drying of the sun so it evolved that the top sections/topmasts got painted white. When bermudian rig came along, even though there was no gaff jaws to wear the mast, the "fashion" of white top sections continued for no real reason.

2) with the advent of the marconi mast (no topmast) the top section of the mast was tapered. This tapering, if prominent, tends to reveal endgrain along its length and as endgrain is more vulnerable to moisture ingress/egress it needed good protection and light colour paint did a better and less maintenance dependent job than varnish.

The real reason is, I expect, a combination of both of the above combined with "fashion".

Any other views?

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[Porthandbuoy]

I believe Nelson ordered all topmasts to be painted white just before the Battle of Trafalgar. That way the British ships would be able to tell friend from foe amidst the smoke of battle. Perhaps what you have done is a long forgottent tribute to the hero.

<hr width=100% size=1>"Mariposa"
This time next year; maybe.

 

[Mirelle]

I just learned something. Thanks!

I never knew that, but, given the Naval origins of so many yachting customs, and the cross fertilisation between yachts and fishing vessels later in the 19th century, it makes very good sense as the reason for choosing white. I recall from one of Michael Frost's books that Dutch fishing boats painted their mastheads in bright colours, something that Frost found worth remarking on, which suggests that white was very well established in Britain.

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[trouville]

Re: I just learned something. Thanks!

I dident know that either! I have my mast varnished,it does look good untill the lines and sun strip it! One year i painted it white above the spreders as i can get that far during the season to revarnish, the next spring i dident take the mast down saveing £50, and spent that winter wondering if there might be damp or delamination, Amazingly when i took it dowm the next spring the skarf joint went and i had to reglue! just a coincidence but i went back to varnish at least untill it comes off!
On my folkboat i hope i will have a metal mast--at least i think i do--but then ill worry about electrolisis week rivits and the awful look!!! When can we have a wooden look UV proof plastic mast?????