Re: [bolger] sitka spruce and mast stock
Don't Worry About Spars (Marty Robbins song from the 50s??? :-)
As mentioned before, Doug/fir is a good spar material, but rather heavier
than ideal. Its big credit is that it is available in long clear lengths at
reasonable prices.
Better is any spruce, black, red, blue, northern, Alpine, Englemann, or what
have you. Next the cedars in all their profusion of names, even Western red,
if you increase the x-section 15% or so. These are lighter and stronger for
weight than D/F.
You can cut your own, debark them and lather them with linseed oil as they
cure. Paint the butt thickly with latex paint and make sure the coating stays
on, replenishing as it wears. Use the spars green if you haven't time for
curing. Or cut them standing dead if they are sound. Don't worry about tight
knots. A tight know 25% the diameter of the spar will make little difference
if it is not near a stress point (partner, snotter, block, etc.)
With spars, as with so many other items, racing has birthed an "entirely too
queasy" apoproach to spar materials; we don't suffer under the constraints of
racing :-)
Step
As mentioned before, Doug/fir is a good spar material, but rather heavier
than ideal. Its big credit is that it is available in long clear lengths at
reasonable prices.
Better is any spruce, black, red, blue, northern, Alpine, Englemann, or what
have you. Next the cedars in all their profusion of names, even Western red,
if you increase the x-section 15% or so. These are lighter and stronger for
weight than D/F.
You can cut your own, debark them and lather them with linseed oil as they
cure. Paint the butt thickly with latex paint and make sure the coating stays
on, replenishing as it wears. Use the spars green if you haven't time for
curing. Or cut them standing dead if they are sound. Don't worry about tight
knots. A tight know 25% the diameter of the spar will make little difference
if it is not near a stress point (partner, snotter, block, etc.)
With spars, as with so many other items, racing has birthed an "entirely too
queasy" apoproach to spar materials; we don't suffer under the constraints of
racing :-)
Step