Round or octagonal mast?

[johnno]

As I have always found everyone on this forum so helpful, I have a question in relation to my sharpie build. I'm at the point of making a decision whether to develop my octagonal bird's mouth masts (main and mizzen, around 17' long, and 3' in diameter at the partner) into a full round shape or leave them octagonal. The designer allows for square, octagonal or round masts so that is not an issue. They take leg o' mutton sprit-boomed sails, laced on.

I'm aware the structural section would be slightly beefier if left octagonal. I know that wind flow is possibly better on a round mast, but laminar flow is a strange beast sometimes. I guess varnish and paint wear is possibly better on a round mast.

But I'm really just wondering if anyone has a clear preference for doing one over the other, or are they both much of a muchness? And is there a workboat or sharpie tradition for one over the other? That could also influence my decision.

[RFNK]

The only significant advantage I can think of in planing down your mast is to get rid of extra weight aloft. It's probably always good to get rid of unnecessary weight aloft. I do doubt you'll notice the difference though.

Rick

[PeterSibley]

For pretty Phil, the primary reason!

[Redeye]

As Peter says, round makes it prettier. Also more value for showing off to your non-boat related friends. Most people find it amazing that a man can take a collection of sticks and then join them together so precisely and make'm all round and perfect. Even better if you don't tell them that it's not round initially, and they'll go round thinking you planed the curves perfectly so it all lined up when you glued it together..

[WX]

I like round.

[timo4352]

Round. For easy mast rotation. Sprits & snotters work best with mast rotation from what I understand.
Plus - you know if you do octagonal, every time you look at them you'll wonder if you should have done them round.
Tim

[Tom Lathrop]

Round is actually easier to make look right and is easier to maintain with no corners that finish does not like to build up on.

[willin woodworks]

Octagonal would look real nice for about a week, then the corners are going to wear and the varnish is going to chip and then you're going to be making it round....

Save yourself the trouble.

[dredbob]

Working sharpie tradition is a pine tree of just the right size (preferably from a neighbor's woodlot), debarked and smoothed just enough, but no more. Oil and/or slush it up a bit, and go.
Make another one when this one gives out.

Bob

[johnno]

Working sharpie tradition is a pine tree of just the right size (preferably from a neighbor's woodlot), debarked and smoothed just enough, but no more. Oil and/or slush it up a bit, and go.
Make another one when this one gives out.

Bob

Okay, that's what I'm aiming for then...will save me hours in the planing/sanding department! But don't let on to Lemonhands!

[James McMullen]

Round. Octagonal is just wrong.

[johnno]

Thanks James..haven't had a vote for octagonal yet, so I guess the dye is cast. It's actually probably easier to finish in the end too, with no edges to line up with each other. Thanks all for your input.