Telephone Pole Mast and Galvanized Wire Rigging - Why Not ?

[pressuredrop]

it took bernard 1.5 times around the world... this dude has got me thinking... just saying...

[zeehag]

friend of mine buil this schooner like that -- now has been upgraded but it works--how bout elevator rigging?? that work also.

[boden36]

I think SS rigging is a triumph of salesmanship. Gal rigging and rigging screws are far superior. Last longer, no surprise fatigue problems either.
Regards, Richard.

[James S]

Used aluminum masts are cheap...dirt cheap.
They may also be easier to fix the sail to as well.
Definitely lighter.

[capngeo]

Weight? Unless your hull is damn heavy, or unless you tapered it to the top! Also, traditional wood masts are usually clear wood without knots or flaws... Good luck finding such an animal in a "telephone" pole

[boatman61]

Sounds like "Ship of Fools' is up for a refit....
She was an interesting boat... complete with her own nearly full size plam tree...

[svHyLyte]

On this subject I'm sure you chaps have all heard of Alexander Graham Kowalski, yes?

[Blue Stocking]

Saw a little sharpie that had a mast made from a 15ft Christmas tree. Left the final spread of branch growth at the top.

[SkiprJohn]

And you could leave a couple branches for spreaders?

Telephone poles are heavy. How about aluminum lamp posts?

kind regards,

[klem]

What you are describing is lots of old workboats. Way back when, they didn't even have galvanized wire, they had to worm, parcel and serve it. On the right vessel, it works great.

[Strait Shooter]

I work with a lot of glulam beams and have access to the manufacturer of them. They can lay up a post (mast) with any combination of wood I choose and can also lay it up with "tracks" inside the mast for wiring chases. Not sure yet how to seal the holes, but I'm sure I can come up with something.

How about recessed, folding mast Steps?

Brian Toss in The Complete Rigger's Apprentice states that galvenized wire rope " is less elastic and more fatigue resistant than any alloy, at one third the cost". He does say that its higher in maintenance, but owning a 37 year old boat doesn't put me in the low maintenance bracket anyway.

So....... can anyone throw water on this idea (pun intended)?


A glulam mast...... hhhhhmmmmmm

[zeehag]

friend of mine built a boat in his yard in seattle area a while back. this boat turned out to be an 85 ft schooner with which he is presently doing commercial charter in mazatlan. he started it with telephone poles and elevator rigging. yes- elevator rigging. he wanted to get going. he did it. he is successful. he is also an unlimited master X 40 yrs. yes they can be used-- why not. if you want to use galvanized there is no rule saying you are gonna die and rot in hell. there is no rule saying davey jones isnt gonnna grab ye. same with stainless.
if the boat is heavy enough to consider using fone poles, isnt gonna worry about weight too much...

[Weyalan]

Just because you can, doesn't mean that you should.
Just because somebody else has, doesn't mean you should.
If it was such a stellar idea, chances are that more than 1 person would have.

[atoll]

telegraph pole /galv wire is fine,but better suited to junk or gaff rig.

[pressuredrop]

Originally Posted by Weyalan

If it was such a stellar idea, chances are that more than 1 person would have.

just so happens that one person is one of the greatest sailors/voyagers of our time...

bernards rig stood up to numerous knock downs, and if youve read his books you will know he pushed that thing 110% most of the time, i dont think a conventional modern rig would survive so many knockdowns...