Spar Options ?

[Leon m]

I'm getting to the piont where I need to make a choice,and I hope you can help.here are my options...

Wood the plans call for doug fir :1 1/2'x 16',and 1 1/2"x 12'.The problem here is,I can't get Fir localy in 16' lengths. Wich means I would have to do some funky lapping joint in the middle of my spar,and I don't trust the strength of that.It just seems like a lot of work to build an iffy spar.

Bamboo So far the most attractive option.Strong ,light weight,naturaly good looking product, but the cost of shipping 16' poles is going to cost. :eek:Comes to around $20.00 per spar(great!),But wating for a quote on shipping.

Aluminum Don't know a whole lot about the different qualities of alloys for spars but I can get Aluminum localy from one source in these diameters: 1 1/2"od x1.16" thick wallx 16'.or 2"od x 1/8" thick (or 1/4")x 16'. I can get both spars for about $150.00 .

http://www.instantboats.com/images/zephyrpr300.gif?SSImageQuality=Full

So, What would you do ?

[ 04-14-2005, 12:48 PM: Message edited by: Leon m ]

[Meerkat]

"locally" ;)

I'd go with the alumnum (which ain't spelled kerectly either, but I figure you'd figure it out!) ;)

[John Bell]

Two points:

If you go with wood, they would best be laminated out of 3/4" x 1 1/2" (nominal 1x2) lumber. I'd look for some clear fir 10' long 2x8's or 2x10's and rip it into 3/4" strips. Scarf the strips to lenght and glue 'em up. Easy and fun. Really! Also very inexpensive.

If your budget will tolerate it though, alumimum isn't a bad idea. I'd buy a bronze gooseneck like my Sunfish has, though.

[Leon m]

Originally posted by John Bell:
If your budget will tolerate it though, alumimum isn't a bad idea. I'd buy a bronze gooseneck like my Sunfish has, though.Yeah, I wanted to do that ,but my mast is 2 1/2" :(

[Leon m]

Originally posted by John Bell:
Two points:

If your budget will tolerate it though, alumimum isn't a bad idea. .What dimension would you go with (From above choices)?

[John Bell]

I really don't know offhand. I'd have to take a look at the spars on my Sunfish before I could say.

[John Meachen]

I don't think mixing bronze and aluminium would be a good idea if the boat ever sees use in salt water.

[John Bell]

I just looked and the boom and yard on my Sunfish are 1.5" OD with 0.0625" walls (1/16"). Don't know what alloy they are or if the alloys you quoted would be appropriate. But I'll wager your stuff will work!

As for the bronze gooseneck I'm sure there's a galvanic penalty to pay, but there sure are A LOT of Sunfish out there being used as beach boats with just such a set up! FWIW, when I adjust mine, I've never really seen any corrosion to speak of underneath where the two metals meet.

JB