4x4 Fir mast construction

[1stnewyorker]

After batting around several mast sources, I'm leaning toward using a 4x4 piece of Doug fir for my 23-foot dory. The boat is being built as an 18th century gunboat for Rev War reenacting so I'd rather not laminate a mast. The mast will be 14 feet tall and 3 1/2 inches at the thwart. Does anyone see any problems with using a kiln-dried 4/4? As always, I appreciate all your advice and guidance. Sorry for the cramped image, it's pretty tight in my tent-boatshop.
http://www.members.aol.com/sapadeni/generalarnold2.jpg

[Mhija]

If the 4x4 in question is resonably tight grained,
sawn free of the heartwood and you get the grain
oriented the right way 'round I, for what little my opinion is worth, do not see a problem. I shaped a similar solid spar from spruce a few years back and had a lot of fun doing it. I strongly suggest you make a quick & dirty spar marking guage. See our host's index or any good
boat building book for the plans. Sharpen your plane(s) and have at it. Enjoy the process !

[Ocean Spray]

I've used 2x4's from Home Depot to laminate masts for a couple of sailing dinghys that I built. Any time I'm walking through the store I usually glance at the pile to see if there are any clear ones laying at the top of the lift.
Both masts using common lumber have stood up and weigh relatively the same as the sitka spruce which cost a fortune.

[NormMessinger]

Around here the problem would be finding a 4x4 that is relatively knot free. Small tight knots would be okay though and add an hint of authenticity, I should think. Go for it.

[Mrleft8]

Why not just find an appropriately sized tree? Probably be more "Authentic"...

[Paulyboy]

Originally posted by Mrleft8:
Why not just find an appropriately sized tree? Probably be more "Authentic"...Fell the tree the "authentic" 18th century way, and if anyone disputes ownership, use the proper black powder way to resolve these issues! (LOL) ;) :D

[Venchka]

Too bad the Kirbys didn't start making paint until the 1840s. If you were building a Civil War period boat, you could build a bird's mouth spar and paint it with Kirby's paint to hide the glue lines. :D

No doubt a single stick whittled to shape with a drawknife and spokeshave would be authentic.

Wayne
In the Swamp. :D

[BillyBudd]

For an authentic mast from the east coast, Douglas Fir seems to be a stretch. Why not try Eastern Spruce? For this you'll need a search party, a friendly sawyer, or a friendly logger. Perhaps, even, someone's backyard beauty gone shaggy wild? I'd avoid Home Depot/local lumberyards with kiln dried sticks from British Columbia....

I have a +/- 6" diameter spruce log about 16' long that I've debarked and planed down top and bottom for a boom. There were small knots and, as Norm mentioned, that might only add authenticity to your mast. Cheers, and welcome to the building season!

[ddeaton]

I reenact FI and Rev war period in the Ohio Valley. Any chance of seeing more pics of the project? Where did you get plans for her? Redcoat or Cont?
Thanks,
Danny