Were I this person I'd ask someone who knows the boat design or who can atleast look and the design and calculate the loading. That would first be the designer of the boat he's building. Secondly, Brion or someone like him if he asks with enough specificity.
If the boat was originally designed to have a head stay and/or shrouds, he might consider not only the mast scantlings but also the step and partners structures as the loading for an unstayed mast is a bit different.
Edited to add - Just looked at the Dwyer material and it really looks like the mast was designed to be stayed. I'd recommend getting scantlings for a bird's mouth spar and make one - really not at all hard and it will look nicer.
G'luck
Last edited by Ian McColgin : 05-31-2009 at 04:28 PM.
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