fibreglass masts

[osteoderm]

We have an 1965 Laurinkoster 32 MkI in our yard with an unusual mast. The mast appears to be fibreglass. It's of an oval cross-section, with a beautiful long taper above the single spreaders to the masthead. In a few areas of print-through (and in one tiny gelcoat chip), a very fine 'glass weave is visible. When knocked on, it returns a dull, solid sound; no metallic ring to be discerned. The rig is slackened, and the chocks are out; shaking the mast at shoulder-height above deck reveals it to be a bit of a noodle.
The spreaders and tangs mount to a stainless sleeve of some sort. The mast step is also stainless, and adjustable. There is no sign of corrosion or failure anywhere, excepting that one tiny chip and the inevitable gelcoat powdering. There are no internal halyard runs.
As far as i know, the Laurins didn't come with these masts, but then again, many of these early models were built on a semi-custom basis, so anything is possible. Has anyone heard of a fibreglass mast of such vintage, or on such a scale? Is it possible that it's some kind of composite construction, perhaps 'glass of light metal? Everything i find online in this area is regarding dinghy and sailboard masts.

I don't know if you got my earlier message or not regarding the glassfibre mast on the L32. I have a glassfibre mast, boom and spinnaker pole on my 1965 Laurinkoster 32 here on Vancouver Island, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. These masts were made by the inventor, boat builder and yachtsman the late Gustav Plym in Sweden. They were offered as an optional extra at that time and were extremely popular because;
a. They were much stronger than aluminum spars.
b. Free from electrolytic corrosion.
c. Could be tapered to save weight aloft.
d. Unlike an aluminum mast in the event of failure of an upper spreader would merely flex a little to leeward.rather than break like a straw.
e Fittings such as mast steps can be attached very securely by means of self-tapping screws.
I have sailed extensively in Swedish waters and spoken to many sailors and no one had ever heard of a Plym mast breaking. My boom was deliberately made very heavy in order to maintain the proper shape of the mainsail. The glassfibre spinnaker pole is likely virtually unbreakable. I have two in order to be able to sail downwind wing-on-wing. I don't know exactly how they were made but one Swede thought they were made around a rubber form which after completion could be deflated. Another said he understodd they were built with multidirection glass fibres. I have heard that the idea came to Plym from the incredible strength of glassfibre fishing rods and it seems that before building any he tested scale downed models to destruction. The weight of the glassfibre masts is said to be midway between wood and aluminum. They were used in boats which had unstayed masts. Production ceased when Plym discovered he could make more money building flag poles in the same way and virtually every Swede has a flag pole at home as well as at the summer cottage. I would be interested to know the name of the L32 you had as well as the name of the owners. There is an L32 web site made by a Dane, Jorgen Brems who also has a 1965 L32 and he is collecting data on all 225 which were built.

[osteoderm]

Hugh,

Thanks for the reply! Since my original post, i had discoverd that (as you likewise report) these masts were offered as original equipment. The spar looks to be in excellent condition, as well as the roller-reefing boom (now converted to slab reefing).
The name of the boat is "Centaurea", and is documented on the Jorgen Brems site. Unfortunately, that site has been down the last several times i've checked over some months. i really like these boats! i'm trying to aquire this one, as the owner has disappeared, and the boat has been abandoned here for 6+ years.
Thanks again for the spar info.

Hi,
Beside the excellent Brems homepage there is a Swedish Society for the Laurin doubble-enders, with a homepage: http://www.laurinkoster.just.nu/
Unfortunately most of the stuff is in Swedish, but you can always post messages in English.
Best regards
Nils Petersson, owner of L28 (unfortunately no GRP mast)