Introduction to the home-buildable ......

                                Waters Mark. ll - CF Wingmast

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April 1st, no fooling, it’s a BIG DAY for me …..   the Mark.ll Wingmast Manual is finally ready to send out!

With a target to cover all the details needed to see a first time builder ‘across the line’, it took longer than predicted, primarily due to my inability to work more than about 3 hours per day.      But such limits must be expected when you’re fortunate enough to squeak past 90 in sound mind,  so today I celebrate with you, and I am confident that those who build one of these wingmasts, will be equally rewarded.

The Manual is divided into three Parts as follows:

Part 1 … describes the overall concept and details how to create the important CORE.

Part 2 … explains the Lamination Data sheet, and how to build up the strength layers,  explaining in detail how to do Vacuum Bagging and/or Resin Infusion as it applies to this mast.  With this section will be sent a specific Lamination Sheet for your mast length.

    [This mast can even be built totally with hand layup, but of course there is a weight penalty.... which is all indicated on your specific Data Sheet].

Part 3 … details the Fittings that will be attached to the basic mast tube, to create a fully functional and professional looking mast.          

The Manual has about 120 pages in total with over 90 illustrations and photos (see above sampling), but in addition to this, buyers of the Manual will also receive a photo album entitled Build Procedure of the 12.2m prototype.  This album is also over 100 pages with over 200 photos, so you will see how one builder interpreted the demands of the design, even before the official Manual was written.    Andre Baetz who built this prototype for his racing F82R did a fine job, and within 10 days of finishing it, was racing 950 miles up the Baltic at a record average speed, so there was certainly no lack of confidence.   

The Mark.ll design was already described in an earlier article and specific Data Sheets are now available for 11,12,13,14,15,16m masts ....with each size covering from 40cm smaller to 50cm longer in length. Tube weights for building by Hand, VB’g or Resin Infusion are also given on each Data Sheet. 

Pricing of the Manual is based partly on a fixed base, and partly as a function of its Length.   See the CF Wingmast page here.   As there are some 500 m/hrs of work to now be slowly recouped, Manual pricing may have to be revisited later this year, but either way, we are here to help, not to overcharge.

A method to build the longer masts (over 14m) in 2 parts, will later be detailed on this website.   As this design is built ‘from the inside-out’ and has a central web, the solution will allow the joint to be built-up over the inner Core and therefore not require an interior sleeve (that adds weight) .. which is also the way these masts can be repaired should they fail for any reason.  I have already proven that ability with my Mk.l Wingmast after it was brutally snapped when my parked boat did a pitchpole across a stoney beach in a wild windstorm. See here.

 

While finding a long enough indoor space to build such an item is difficult, it certainly is the better way to work.   But if you forget resin infusion,  such masts HAVE been built outside before.     Find a long wall that is in the lee of your prevailing wind and rain and set up your table.  Then prepare overlapping waterproof covers about 3m x 2 meters wide with a batten along each long edge, so they can be quickly dropped over the mast and table in 5 mins.  Then, it’s doable.   By choosing your work days and using the heat treatment noted in the Manual, you can avoid most effects of excess humidity and achieve a workable result.  Yes, it’s a compromise, but it is doable when there is really no other choice.   See here, shown adding the final biax-sleeve.

Some of you who are building the Mk.l mast have also expressed interest in combining the Mk.ll swivel beak at the hounds and/or extra sheaves or low-friction eyes for more halyards.  This has justified the creation of a 'mini-manual' so that just these details can be shared independent of the Mk.ll Manual that already contains them.  This mini-manual can be ordered separately as a Mk1 Plus manual.  20 illustrated pages.  Currently US$30+$3 PP fee

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