2022: Renovating the spars
I start in June the renovation of the spars (masts, booms, spreaders...). In order to be able to put coats of varnish evenly on all sides of the pieces at once, I make a gantry for the booms, spreaders and gaff sleeves.
The masts will be supported individually so that they can be turned so I cover the different faces. From an aesthetic point of view, I noticed that the old work boats (even some pleasure boats) had the upper part of the masts in white. I like this rendering, which also makes it easier to spot the boat in a fleet. I opt for this feature and will paint both mast-tops the same color as the hull. For the varnishing process, this will also allow me to avoid placing a support at the end of the mast, making the supporting more fragile.
These supports are triangulated, with a horizontal piece at the base to distribute the load, and a "small wheel" at the top of each support, which will allow the masts to rotate via a strap.
A "large wheel" on each support will be fixed to the mast: a wheel screwed at the foot of the mast, another at the end of the varnished part (about 2m from the top of the main mast).
The base side support is stabilized by 2 legs linked together with a board, also fixed to the horizontal piece.
The construction is stable, the strap-wheels system works for limited rotations, which is my case: 1 half-turn at each layer.
The main mast was equipped with 2 spinnaker poles on rails. Having the idea of using an asymmetric spinnaker instead when the time comes, I decide to dismantle these elements. A hundred small holes to be filled: the smallest ones with epoxy, the largest ones filled with 6mm and 12mm wooden rounds glued with water-resistant PU glue.
On the other hand, some graving pieces are necessary for local repairs (old cable outlet at the base of the mast), glued with epoxy.
A few dozen coats of varnish and a few coats of paint on the top of the masts later, I was able to reassemble the fittings, set the masts aside and protect them.
I didn't take a photo with the hull colour reminder, so we'll have to wait and see the masts put back in place!
