Orientation of laminated 14' mast

[Mr.O]

I have posted this before and usually geta variety of jumbled answers. Perhaps those in the know could say " laminations in line with length of boat" or "laminations perpendicular to length of boat". And then perhaps some reasoning as to why there answer is the appropriate direction. Wind effect on bending? sailing forces? Any glue effects. whatever? Thanks

[Thorne]

" laminations in line with length of boat"

For most sailing rigs, the mast should bend to port and starboard, not fore and aft.

As to why, well, would you want to fly in a small plane whose wings flexed up and down, or fore and aft??

; 0 )

[Andrew]

Don't you need to consider grain orientation more than that of the laminations? (Curious also)

[Thorne]

Yes, but since he said, "laminations", hard to say how the mast is built, or from what material.

For a 14' stick, you should be able to use 2 2x4's unless the mast is for a very large boat.

Here are some photos of my latest mast, made from fir 2x4's glued together and roughly shaped. The glueline runs fore and aft, and the mast is oval in the same orientation -

http://www.luckhardt.com/newmast1.jpg

http://www.luckhardt.com/newmast3.jpg