I picked up an 18 foot mast, boom, and stays for free from a want ad I posted on
CL. A lady in Chapel Hill said they had an old "sunfish" style boat with a hole
in it. They were going to toss the whole thing in the dump but then she caught
my ad. I picked it up yesterday.
Also got the sail as well which is in great shape.
It is perfect for when we go to our local lake which has too many low bridges
for the regular mast. I wanted something to have that was shorter so we could
run up the Jolly Roger, and would look cool.
It's barely about the diameter of a coke can, and can be stepped up and down
singlehandedly, and also can be lowered if needed on the water to clear the
bridges,
The Step on the sunfish was different, and not only could I not remove it (stuck
screws from age) but I don't want to have to change steps each time, that would
be ludicrous...but after looking I can drill a hole in this new mast, install
some spacers, and use the existing step and pin. So seamless transfer between
masts depending on where we are going to drop in.
Now when we go to Falls Lake (which is often) I will have a mast so the boat will still look great but will be able to drop the mast backwards, slip under the bridge, and pop it back up. I CANNOT do this with the large mast the boat came with.
Having the ability to chose depending on where we are going and what we are doing is going to be awesome.
Remember as you read this, that I don't sail at Falls..just motor and party cove with friends. My boat is a big hit at the party cove because of it's unique old timey look, the fact it is the only sailboat in the group, and it has a bathroom (head) and thats a big hit with the ladies lol
I know I am a nut...I don't care
Cheers
Dave