Collars

It is virtually impossible to sum up mast making in a few paragraphs. With the exception of the smaller standard spars for production craft, nearly all the spars we manufacture are unique in the fact that no two are made the same with each carrying their own identity and hallmark. When working with long lengths of timber that vary in weight, density, texture and colour, one has to remain flexible before and during construction. The key to success in mast making is to keep the spar stable in terms of balance, which ultimately is down to expert timber selection.

In principle, the smaller dinghy spars are normally made in two halves, hollowed as necessary before gluing along a fore-aft glue line. Once the spars increase in size and diameter the construction takes the form of a box, with two larger side walls held apart by two smaller fore and aft walls.

Before assembly each component is individually hollowed out in order that when assembled the internal hollowing forms the perfect hollowing with uniform wall thickness. As the masts grow in size, other factors come into play namely the inherent movement of timber that can cause checking, or splits, in the surface face of the timber.

Although all the timber we use has carefully monitored moisture content, being a natural material it will continue to absorb and relinquish moisture, expanding and contracting as it does. To combat this movement careful sizing and orientation of the timber is the secret, making the mast move as one unit. Get it wrong and the mast can literally pull itself apart.