We have had over 20cms (almost 8″) of rain at the house. It has been very rainy and more rain is predicted. I decide to wet sand the mast tomorrow. Well, it is now tomorrow and it is supposed to rain all day today. I was all set up to wet sand the Mast and Masthead plug in the rain. Would you not know it…no rain today, but the temperature is just over 13° C.
I have a margarine container with some hot water with a little dish soap. I really want the varnish to stick to the mast, so I am making sure that the mast has a good bonding surface…the soap will wash off any “anime Blush” that there may be on the mast.
Well, there is a change of plans. I am going to fill a few minor flaws that I have found while sanding. I will live to varnish another day.
I mix up a small amount of epoxy and a touch of sanding dust and go around the mast, filling the few flaws that I have found. To keep the epoxy in place, I put a piece of packing tape over the epoxy. Sort of like a band-aid.
Well, this is a change of plans. I decide that since I cannot varnish the mast until the epoxy cures, I might as well go all the way with my other “idea”. Generally, the base of free-standing masts are reinforced on the inside, as there is a lot of stress placed on the mast base while sailing. I am going to wrap my mast base with epoxy & cloth to reinforce it. This will also keep the mast from being damaged where it goes through the mast partners (the thwart). I will still leather the mast at thwart level. (about 16″ up) to reduce chafing.
I used 6oz. cloth left over from “Paul’s Canoe build”. I am putting epoxy & cloth from the mast base to about 27″ up.
I intend to wrap the Mast/Masthead plug joint with silver reflective tape when I am done. Hopefully I can wet sand the mast base, the filled minor flaws and start to varnish tomorrow.
Good rowing to you,
Mike
Looking really good. What weight of glass did you use?
Hello Roy,
I used 6oz. cloth leftover from Paul’s Canoe build.
Mike