Mast replacement

S

saor410

New Member
I seem to remember so time ago that someone posted the size, alloy, and temper of the commercial aluminum tubing used in the Sunfish mast. Can anyone help me out here? Thanks
 
Keep in mind that you will need to get the tube anodized or the mast, your sail, hands, and anything the mast touches will turn black, and fast.

To solve this, I have previously suggested using a tree trunk of the appropriate diameter as a mast, but no one has taken me up on that idea yet.

BB
 
beldar boathead said:
Keep in mind that you will need to get the tube anodized . . .
Click to expand...
Wavedancer said:
. . . But as BB already pointed out, making your own mast may not save you any money unless you have an inexpensive way to anodize :eek:
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Um..., Clear anodizing is simply an attribute you specify when ordering aircraft grade 6061 or 6063 aluminum tubing.

I think the confusion comes because people see they can also order non-anodized tubing at a slightly lower cost, but for this and most typical applications for this grade tube, anodized is the norm.

You definitely don't want to get into after market anodizing unless you are going to do your own dye job and the expense is superfluous to your goal. It takes a tank (length of PVC pipe) long enough to immerse the tube, making it the "anode " in an electrolytic reaction to seal the micro-surface layer against corrosion.


How is aluminum anodized and colored?
- Two different processes which can be combined -

http://www2.ucdsb.on.ca/tiss/stretton/chem3/Lab_22_Anodizing_Aluminum.html


AnodizedTitanium006.jpg


Certainly less costly done in bulk at the extruder plant.

top-five-questions-about-anodizing-architectural-tube-anodizing-process.jpg



​



beldar boathead said:
To solve this, I have previously suggested using a tree trunk of the appropriate diameter as a mast, but no one has taken me up on that idea yet.
Click to expand...
I worked with a guy in NZ over the winter (our winter) who used appropriately sized Bamboo instead of aluminum tube. Initial reports were, the bamboo was holding up quite well. I'm hoping for an update next season.

;) . . . getting back to the lateen sailing craft roots ... as it were.

kiribati+proa+small.jpg
.
 
saor410 said:
I seem to remember so time ago that someone posted the size, alloy, and temper of the commercial aluminum tubing used in the Sunfish mast. Can anyone help me out here? Thanks
Click to expand...

I have a black Sunfish mast for sale I'll let you have cheap, if you can pick it up in Connecticut.
 
Wayne said:
Um..., Clear anodizing is simply an attribute you specify when ordering aircraft grade 6061 or 6063 aluminum tubing.

I think the confusion comes because people see they can also order non-anodized tubing at a slightly lower cost, but for this and most typical applications for this grade tube, anodized is the norm.

You definitely don't want to get into after market anodizing unless you are going to do your own dye job and the expense is superfluous to your goal. It takes a tank (length of PVC pipe) long enough to immerse the tube, making it the "anode " in an electrolytic reaction to seal the micro-surface layer against corrosion.


How is aluminum anodized and colored?
- Two different processes which can be combined -

http://www2.ucdsb.on.ca/tiss/stretton/chem3/Lab_22_Anodizing_Aluminum.html


AnodizedTitanium006.jpg


Certainly less costly done in bulk at the extruder plant.

top-five-questions-about-anodizing-architectural-tube-anodizing-process.jpg



​




I worked with a guy in NZ over the winter (our winter) who used appropriately sized Bamboo instead of aluminum tube. Initial reports were, the bamboo was holding up quite well. I'm hoping for an update next season.

;) . . . getting back to the lateen sailing craft roots ... as it were.

kiribati+proa+small.jpg
.
Click to expand...

Hi sorry to revive an old thread but I'm really curious whatever happened with the bamboo mast and how long it lasted? I moved to Ecuador a couple of years ago and picked up a sunfish clone hull with no mast. But there is tons of bamboo available.

Thanks Matt
 
SmprFidels said:
Hi sorry to revive an old thread but I'm really curious whatever happened with the bamboo mast and how long it lasted? I moved to Ecuador a couple of years ago and picked up a sunfish clone hull with no mast. But there is tons of bamboo available.

Thanks Matt
Click to expand...
Here in central Florida, there's a clump of suitably-sized bamboo adjacent to a parking lot.

Bamboo's pretty strong, but I'd pick up a spare. You'll need ten feet. No oxidation issues!

;)
 
Thanks, Even if you can't find it for free on the beach here, bamboo is super cheap. I purchased a slightly smaller piece to use as a walking stick for about 2 or 3 dollars. I will have to pick up a suitably sized bamboo tube and give it a try.

Any suggestions on good knots to use for a gooseneck & a halyard? I have the aluminum spars.

Thanks again,
Matt
 
SmprFidels said:
Thanks, Even if you can't find it for free on the beach here, bamboo is super cheap. I purchased a slightly smaller piece to use as a walking stick for about 2 or 3 dollars. I will have to pick up a suitably sized bamboo tube and give it a try.

Any suggestions on good knots to use for a gooseneck & a halyard? I have the aluminum spars.

Thanks again,
Matt
Click to expand...
Tie a bowline about tenches
 
L&VW said:
Tie a bowline about six inches inches in diameter, place the upper spar across it, and thread the bitter end through the bowline three times. Include the spar in the wraps. Pull tight. For pictures, use this forum's search feature to find "thrice".
Click to expand...
L&VW said:
You'll have a hitch that loosens from the spar easily, slides up and down temporarily, yet will grip extra tight upon raising the spar.
Click to expand...
 
I have numerous Sunfish spars for sale. Masts $65. Upper booms $40. Lower booms with blocks $45. Goosenecks $38. Connecting hardware free with purchase of a boom set. Fresh water use. Straight. Pick-up only in Cazenovia, NY (near Syracuse.) Also have Minifish spars (slightly shorter than Sunfish spars.

Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
 
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