Why choose a Sailspar mast?
Sailspar offer a wide range of different builds and, as we have access to a huge range of sections, it means that the right section can be matched to the right boat. No more having to use a certain section because there is nothing closer. We can supply masts in one single unjoined section up to 19.45 metres and these are silver anodised to 25 microns. Unfortunately gold anodising is no longer available however the mast can be painted if so desired, at a price. We not only build masts and spars but also have our own delivery transport and mast stepping service. Should you so wish, let us take the stress and strain off your shoulders with our " one stop shop". Let us design your rig (if needed), sort your spars, liase with your chosen sailmaker, deliver and finally step the finished product.

Alternatively, you may wish to build the mast yourself. Only a certain amount of practical skill and tools are needed to do this as we provide full instructions. We also provide 2 different mast kit build options:- The more commonly bought kit is the standard mast kit which has had some of the more difficult work done for you. For instance, the masthead box is made up and fitted, the spreaders come cut to length and tapered, the halyard exit slots are pre-machined and the sail entry gate is supplied and fitted. The other type of kit is the basic kit. This means the section is supplied over long to your requirements, the spreaders are supplied in one length, you make your own top box, you cut in your own halyard exit slots and you fit your own sai lentry gate. The more work you do means the less you pay out however please do note that much more skill is needed to build the basic kit compared to the standard kit. We are always at the end of a telephone and are willing to advise when building however we do not wish this help to be abused.

Here follows the different mast builds we offer. Please note, and this is a very important point, that you can MIX AND MATCH FROM ALL THESE BUILDS depending on what you want .

Ocean Build
This is a heavy duty, ocean going, build which uses stainless steel as its core mast fitting component. Starting from the top, the masthead box is made from extrusion and is bolted into the top of the mast. Masthead rigs have 4 sheaves and 2 toggles which allows for 2 genoa halyards, a main halyard and a topping lift all to run internally. An external spinnaker crane takes a single block which will allow the spinnaker halyard to be run either internally via a chaffe plate or externally. Single or double spinnaker cranes are available. Fractional rigs have the masthead box welded into the top of the section, with a wide range of forestay take offs available. Jumpers, inner forestays, external running backstay tangs, deck stepped or keel stepped all have well designed and thought out fittings that are rugged and functional.

Tangs are external, are through bolted with internal compression tubes and with tang plates to spread rig loads over a wide area of section. These are selected to suit the angle of the stay, the stay size and the rig size. They are made from 316 stainless steel and are highly polished.

Spreaders are aerofoil tapered and fix to the mast with stainless steel sockets. The spreader accepts a compression tube that is located with an internal stud. The sockets are made to different angles aft, or up, to suit the rig.

Halyard exit chaffe plates are stainless steel, as are the winch pads, gooseneck, kicker fitting and clutch pads etc. Halyard cleats are rugged cast alloy, anodised black.

All fittings are fitted to the mast using a closed cell foam tape that is stuck to the fitting prior to assembly to ensure that the stainless fittings and the aluminium section do not come in contact with each other.

Performance Build
Similar to our Ocean Build but with internal tangs and spreaders on through bars which give a clean look and have a low windage effect. The core mast fittings are aluminium rather than stainless steel so as to be lighter. The range of sections that are available with their great fore and aft strength to weight ratio provide a really great mast. As the sections are available in anodised lengths of up to 19.45 mtrs this may well eliminate the need for a join which in turn means that mast weight is saved and more bend characteristics can be achieved. Keeping the sail entry and batten car cut-out small does not risk your mast section strength especially around highly stressed areas such as the gooseneck. The new range of mast glands make for great support at deck level and laser cut internal bulk heads provide effective water dams to stop water running down the inside of the mast. See more details

Production Build
This is the build for smaller boats or where economy is required. Masthead boxes are cast and are welded into the section. Tangs can be suppied either as internal tangs or as special receptors on the masthead casting and spreader roots take cappel terminals. Spreaders are tapered aerofoil and fit to the mast using either cast brackets or through bars. Halyard exit chaffe plates are delrin and the winch pads are aluminium. This build uses a larger amount of alloy fittings in its build and consequently financial savings on the more expensive Ocean build.

Weekend Build
As the name suggests this build has been designed with the small cruiser in mind. The weekend range has its own range of large diametered, thin walled sections which take either sail slides or bolt rope, This build uses internal tangs, cast masthead boxes , spreaders on through bars and hinge heels which can take a maximum of 6 internal halyards. This build is ideal for the small crusier racer or trailer sailer. It has light, strong sections with a modern shape that give great reliable service.