 |
||
Because the mast is longer than the box the kit comes in, it comes in two parts. They are joined with a precut scarf joint. I wanted to make sure the mast was straight, so I dry fit it together first on a hard, flat surface. The scarf joint makes an oval shape so I laid the longer piece of the mast on my work surface with the oval facing up. I placed the shorter mast piece on top and rolled them around a bit till the mast was straight and the joint fit tight. Clamped the long piece down (with wax paper under the joint). Put a thin coat of super glue on both surfaces of the scarf joint and let them dry. Another thin coat on the short mast piece and then press them together against the work surface. Hold for a minute. The parts tend to self align this way and the mast came out pretty straight. After I painted it I couldn't even find the joint. Then you measure, measure, measure. The mast and two booms. Mark for holes to be drilled for the screweyes and cotter pins that hold the sail against the mast and form the fairleads for the rigging.
The mast fits onto a post on the middle crossbeam and is held on by the standing rigging. This rigging is designed to come off easily so the mast, booms, and sails can be taken off for ease of transport. There is one cute, simple gadget provided that allows for easy tensioning of the shrouds. It's just a little brass cylinder that is threaded to accept a screw on one end and has a ring on the other end. A simple tiny turnbuckle. Works great!
Victor's drawing of it looks like this: And here's the real thing:
