Fabricating New Mast Wedges

[Brion Toss]

Hi there,
Dear Mr. Euler, some years ago, demonstrated the behavior of columns under compression. He probably didn't have sailboat masts in mind, but because of him we know that keel-stepped masts can be a lot lighter -- not just a nudge, Ian -- than deck-stepped ones. For more on this, stand by for an article I'm preparing on rig tune for wooden boats. Meanwhile, I think Ian is otherwise correct; you want the partners to be working with the mast's energy, in order to stiffen it in the lower panel.
Spartite is indeed my favorite wedge material, partly because it is resilient, and won't put localized stresses on the mast, partly because it allows you to put the mast right where you want it, even if the partners are off-center, and partly because it is usually much cheaper than custom wedges to accomplish the same thing. Plus it is fun, kind of like pre-school playtime, as it involves modelling clay, foam, and masking tape, in addition to pouring thick blue liquid.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Stumble]

I would also add that spartite is perfectly repeatable. Once you get the mast where you want it every time you yank the mast it goes right back to where it was. Even the best wedges will have some play in how they fit each time TH smast comes in and out.

Admittedly this is a bigger issue for boats that pull their mast regularly, but when retuning a rig it's nice to know that you at least don't have to deal with one problem.

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
This assumes, of course, that the installer remembered to smear Vaseline on the partners before pouring the Spartite...

[Stumble]

Originally Posted by Brion Toss

Hi again,
This assumes, of course, that the installer remembered to smear Vaseline on the partners before pouring the Spartite...

DOH!!! I did this once. I am still paying for it at the bar with friends.