Repairing a wooden mast

[wetass]

I have come into possession of a 50' wood mast that came off a boat that sunk in our local marina after a propane explosion. Now I don't want to use the mast for my boat, but rather mount it in our yard for a flag pole (its a beach house). The problem is that it has some rot at one of the spreaders - Its a box section and the rot is pretty much confined to one corner of the mast. Having never owned, or repaired for that matter, a wooden mast, I am looking for some guidance.

Do you simply scarf in a new section, or are there better ways? I'm leaning toward just scarfing in a new section at the corner with a good amount of bevel (12:1 or more) and use epoxy and wood-flour as the glue. It doesn't have to be offshore capable since it will never see a sail, but I also dont want it falling on the house.

Thoughts?

 

[woodster]

I have come into possession of a 50' wood mast that came off a boat that sunk in our local marina after a propane explosion. Now I don't want to use the mast for my boat, but rather mount it in our yard for a flag pole (its a beach house). The problem is that it has some rot at one of the spreaders - Its a box section and the rot is pretty much confined to one corner of the mast. Having never owned, or repaired for that matter, a wooden mast, I am looking for some guidance.

Do you simply scarf in a new section, or are there better ways? I'm leaning toward just scarfing in a new section at the corner with a good amount of bevel (12:1 or more) and use epoxy and wood-flour as the glue. It doesn't have to be offshore capable since it will never see a sail, but I also dont want it falling on the house.

Thoughts?

it can be done and i like your idea of the flag pole...would you post the damaged area for us ....i would like to see how it is constructed be fore i suggest anything in the order of repair....

regards

woody

 

[wetass]

Will do, but will have to wait until this weekend before I can get pictures. Thanks for the reply!

 

[justsomeguy]

There's a thin 2-part epoxy made by System 3 called RotFix. You'd drill small holes into the rotten area and inject/drip the epoxy in. http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2003591/3018/System-Three-RotFix.aspx

 

[zeehag]

there should be a reinforcing box inside that mast at the spreaders. you may be able to get away with git rot, as it isnt going offshore too far.

 

[wetass]

Git rot or Rotfix may have been an option BEFORE I dug into the rot with a screwdriver and tore out a good portion of the rotted wood - Ooops. Now I think Im stuck replacing the wood. Thanks for the suggestions though Zeehag and Justsomeguy. You are right though that there does appear to be a reinforcing box, or at least some additional wood underneath that rotted section that appears unaffected.

 

[zeehag]

ok since is a box under, as is spozed to have, add filler to the git rot/epoxy repair stuff and is good to go. fair it nice--like repairing yer old vw bug/bus --isnt gonna go too far offshore......