London Boat Show

This showcase of British & international boating is opening it's doors next Friday the 6th of January. There will be plenty for all different types of boating people from dinghies up to ocean going superyachts. So why not put the date in your diary and blow those winter blues away.

Sloop Mast Question

I am looking for info. (problem solving).  I need to rethink how to handle making a mast for my 16 ft daysailer (Thats my picture on the "Whats New" page showing the swing keel/centerboard box).  I had originally planned on using a 23 ft spruce pole obtained from a neighbor's yard.  Unfortunately, it has cracked and checked badly over the previous winter and this summer.  The cracking is so deep (1/2" plus that the upper 8 ft is useless.  My plans call for a mast @ 23 ft. tall.  I still want to use a sloop rig as apposed to a gaff rig.

 

What can I do to get the full length of mast while still making it trailerable.  23 ft is just too long to handle in terms of weight with stays, wires, etc, and going around corners.  I think that other motorists and law enforcement would look beyond the obvious beauty  of the hull and ignore the mast swinging dangerously into the other lanes on curves.

 

I have been contemplating an articulating mast or possibly sleeving it in two parts but am having problems with manufacturing possibilities.  Any suggestions out there?

 

Could I leave a mast stump (stepped) of about 5 ft and articulate or sleeve it?  Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Andy