Onderwerp: [english] Flying Arrow Spanker - Old Wooden Mast

hello!

I cant speak Dutch, not to mention write. I bought a Spanker two years ago and i must say i'm very happy with it!

The thing is the boat has a wooden mast and although i havent got problems yet, i'm a bit worried about it ... do you think it's gonna last much more? Is there something i can do to improve it?



Where could i get a new / old mast for a Spanker and what would be the approximate cost?

Thank you very much and I wish you a good week end!

Hello,

Welcome at the Zeilersforum.

What you could do to improve your mast is to scrape it completely and if needed glue the mast again. Most of the time this is easy do-able, but will take some time from you. After that re-varnish. Otherwise you could start to look for a new mast, probably you would prefer an aluminum one. There is is class club for the Spanker, www.spanker.nl/ , maybe you find your luck there.

What's the problem with your mast? Do the two parts come apart? If so: scrape the mast and glue where necessary with epoxy as Wallaby suggests. Apply at least 4 coats of varnish. If there is an other problem: post more photographs.

Hey! .. it's full of cracks (in dutch and according to Mr.Google: barst) ... but yes, i totally get the point. Scrap until i see the clean wood, epoxy the cracks and then paint.

Any recommendation as to what epoxy and varnish to use? which are good brands?

West epoxy is one of the leading brands and you can get difference formula's of that. For varnish most people like Epifanes clear varnish, but there are more.

Hi,
I'm not sure if you keep the Spanker in the UK, but I think it would be relatively easy to source a second hand alloy spar there, instead of trying to restore the oold wooden one.

You'd need a mast of app. 7meters, maybe from a discarded FD or Hornet or something similar. If it fits the mast gate in the deck, and your mainsail luff fits, you're fine.
I wouldn't exect you to appear at an official Spanker race, right

Gr, Arent

PS, If you are in Holland, try contacting the Spanker class association, they would know of any loose masts lying around in someones shed. You be amazed how many useful boat parts are gathering dust somewhere.....

Thank you very much for the advices!