Mast for model yacht

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I have a small R/C yacht, sold as 'Cup Yacht' about 16 years ago. LOA is about 18". During a move about 11 years ago it was stored in a garage for seven months and the sails (and much else) were 'despoiled' by rats! Foolishly I dumped all the rigging.

I want to restore the model, but despite much googling I can't find a supplier of small section aluminium mast section. Its about 3/8" by 1/4" oval section.

I'd prefer to use a proepr aluminium mast if I can.

Can anyone suggest a supllier?

thanks

Neil

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

Oval might be a problem, but maybe arrow shafts?

**LINK**

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Thanks Malcolm,

The lack of other responses suggests that these are/were a thing of the past? I already have a potentially suitable fibreglass 'stick' but it's not the same. My other options are to make a wooden mast and see if I can route a suitable slot in it on my milling machine, or to get a round tube and squeeze it oval, which could be a bit hit and miss – even then, no slot.

What on earth do people use for masts on model yachts these days? Have they gone back to dowel?

Neil

[LARRY WHETTONParticipant @larrywhetton68737]

Try ,

http://www.pjs sails .co.uk Larry..

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

Sailsetc sell groovy mast, but I think that theirs is intended for larger boats. If you are making your own sails, it is quite reasonable to dispense with the idea of oval section and groovy, and just go with round and hitching the sail with rings, or, as I call them, bits of string.

Wood has excellent strength to weight, probably why it has been so popular for masts down the years. Dowel does a good job, just a question of picking the straightest length in the shop. If thin wall aluminium is wanted, K&S is good, but only comes in 12" lengths, so would need a joiner. Easy enough if the rig has stays and a spreader since the K&S tubing is sized to telescope.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Thanks, PJsails do sell round 'groovy' masts, but a little large. As I won't be changing suits of sales on a recreational model like this, I think I'll try one of the alternatives.

Neil

[Gareth JonesParticipant @garethjones79649]

Wickes do aluminium tube in 8 mm and 10 mm diam. I think its 1 mm thick wall section which might be a bit heavy but probably OK unless you want the ultimate performance. 8 mm tube is available in 1 metre lengths, 10 mm in 1 and 2 m lengths

The quality of the Wickes tubing is much better than you seem to be able to get at B and Q these days.

Gareth

[John W EParticipant @johnwe]

hi Neil

is this any use for the mast

**LINK**

aye

john

[ARTHUR COLLETTParticipant @arthurcollett48040]

Hi I used old fishing rods. Cut to size. and the are tapered too. Broken carbon fibre rod works well as it is hollow and all kind of slots can be cut into it/

regards

Arthur

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Thanks for all the ideas, this morning I got a metre of 8mm 1mm wall alloy tube from Wickes. I used the soft jaws in my big vice to squeeze it oval, the last cm or so a bit more than the rest. to be a close fit in the step. This worked quite well, not perfectly, but more than good enough to make a nice looking profile with a flat on each side for spreaders. It will do for both mast and boom.

It may be a little while for me to make the fittings and a suit of sails, but I'll post some pictures of progress.

Thanks again.

Neil

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