Neil Tanner wrote:

Webmaster JRA wrote:

Neil Tanner wrote:
Hi David....you must mean for the foremast?  I just plan on wedging it...what are your thoughts on it? 

Yes, I was distinctly unsuccessful in my attempts to wedge a parallel mast in a parallel sleeve, and turned to Spartite, which is good - until you want to get the mast out.

Hey David.  The raised partners will have me making a long wedge.  Hopefully I won't have problems with the parallel sides.  The idea for raised partners came from PJR and they say with parallel sides the wedges will be compressed mainly at the top.  Sounds like I just need to make the wedges long and with a slight taper. 

The masts on Easy Go are wedged in parallel partners and initially some of the wedges did ride up after the first heavy weather. Made some small blocks of 3/8 plywood and screwed them to each wedge under the partners. No Problems since. This year I also put some blocks on the top of the partners to prevent them from falling through although this has never been a problem. Wax the aluminum masts generously at the partners before wedging to keep future corrosion at bay.

Guy's,

This beat up on Spartite does not make sense. You are lambasting the product for doing its job and doing it very well. With proper foresight and preparation as with everything, Spartite will let go your mast when it should.

The key is that at least one surface (the one that will let go) should be very smooth and have a taper. That surface must then be waxed and over the wax I also apply Vaseline (just to be damed sure) before you pour the Spartite. Since you will not have access to the parts in question once the mast is in, you need to take care of this before you step the mast.

If you build your mast as per PJR, the buried portion will have a taper and its in the right direction. If your mast is parallel sided or it tapers from the base, your partner then needs to be tapered. The taper should be such that the larger opening is on the deck side and the smaller opening on the inside.

On PJR style masts, the mast side is the one that must let go. On parallel sided masts or mast with taper from the base, the partner side is what must let go.

If you follow the above rules, you will love Spartite as it does its job wonderfully well and your mast will still come out when you want it to.

My wedges seem to be holding up thus far - not that I've done that much to test them.  But my 'circular' collar is nowhere near as circular as my mast and I think the imperfections aid jamming the wedges in.  I did put a spot of Simsons Marine Glue on the odd one to encourage it to stay in place.

Annie Hill wrote:She looks great and must have tons more room inside than the original.  I bet you can't  wait to go sailing in her!

Thanks Annie....Yes there is more room, but in redesigning her, you never anticipate all of her needs.   IE:  Batteries....water (my mainmast lives where my water tank used to be!)  But we will figure it out....I just can't wait to sail her again....

David Tyler wrote:

Neil Tanner wrote:

Gary Pick wrote:Congratulations Neil, it must look great. Are you posting any photos?

Thanks Gary.  It looks great having masts on her, that's for sure!  Yes, I've posted one (tide was low and couldn't get a good side shot) on my profile album.  All the best---

I must say that Sea Elf is now looking very elegant, with her raised topsides. Much better looking than the original Nic 32.
With such a high deck ring fabrication, what had you in mind for wedging, Neil?

Hi David....you must mean for the foremast?  I just plan on wedging it...what are your thoughts on it?  I'm not sure if the folks on the Nic32 group will agree...I've been very reluctant to show them what I've been up to.   The original design has a pretty successful track record and if it weren't for my misfortune of being too close to a fire, I would have continued to enjoy her original layout.  But I do agree about the raised topsides....that is why I went that route when I began the renovation.....