Hi Everyone
Some technical-type advice please. I think Jeremy could help if he's 'listening'.
I will shortly be making up some (8ft long) smallish spars - a boom, and a yard (what you gaffers call a gaff). Desirable characteristics are lightness combined with stiffness. Two I have already made for my present (junk) rig have worked well, being laminated B&Q stripwood, rectangular section about 45 x 30 mm with rounded off corners; the yard slightly tapering in each direction from the sling point. I planned to do much the same for the new spars, but using rather better quality timber (Douglas fir).
However it occurred to me to wonder whether hollow rectangular section would be as strong and stiff, with some obvious saving in weight (but enough to make it worthwhile?)? I don't think it would be too difficult to do.
