Hello from a New Member with a Question

[Cap'n J]

Hi Everyone,
Happy to be part of your community. One of my members is building an 18 foot sloop with a free standing mast. He lives in Hudson, NY and is requesting some one-on-one help to get his rigging right. Here is the email he sent to me:

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The boat is a sloop with a LOA of 18', 4' beam and 34" from keel to the deck. She will have no shrouds or stays. The mast will be aluminum. Dwyer Aluminum Mast Comp., model DM-375; (www.dwyermast.com). Mast height will be about 21' above the deck. I want a free standing mast because it's easier to set up since it will be going in and out of the water.
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Should I recommend that he come onto this board? He indicates that he knows little about sailing (I know--so why build a boat before you know anything?--beats me) Any help is appreciated.

Best - J
www.skippertips.com

[John Van Dinther]

Of course he should look at this site every day. Number one, people who know what he needs to know will point him in the right direction. After he starts his education he will get help all along the way. And, in the end, if he springs for the cost of a consultation he will save more than the by getting a graduate level education and support.

People here are almost always, not always, always very gentle and helpful with honest questions from beginners. Sailors are not always, always gentle. That is part of the education.

John Van

[Ian McColgin]

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