A Photo & Discussion Forum for Wharram Design Enthusiasts
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Hi Dave
I'm not sure. Happy to try with you to purchase 2 masts (or any more if others are interested) but I need to call suppliers as they all seem limited to 6m which cannot be the case as these tubes must be extruded in a continuous length. KR Andrew
Am I too late to join this?
Just came across this in my local Craigslist. Not sure where they are located as it looks like a nationwide ad from a surplus place but these are pretty cheap and for anyone in the USA who's looking for a mast or for front/rear beams for a bigger Tiki, these might do the job. Thicker than Wharram calls for but probably still lighter than a wood mast.
https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/grq/d/unused-aluminum-tubing-40-...
Ref extrusion stock lengths. With the current stock problems due to Covid etc I guess it will be even harder to get extra long lengths now.
In any event when I was looking for a mast supplier I found one who was happy to make them to my design, but only by jointing two tubes for each mast. The joints are impressive, I don't fear any loss of strength there and not much extra weight.
I don't see a problem with this, they certainly haven't been a problem for me. I have two 5" dia masts on my Tiki 31. The mainmast is about 10" taller than the design length so that I can see forward under the mainsail.
The materials for two wooden masts would have cost me more than the price of the alloy masts, and they are lighter than wood. I also have made dyneema rigging for all shrouds but the forestay and have had no problems with stretching (buy the best).
There are 2 x 20ft 5" dia tubes on Ebay at the moment £125 each I think. You could get them jointed. Mine were jointed in Colchester and are fine. Just search Wharram tubes.
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