How to make Scarf

by Bill Schwartz
(Annapolis MD)

I have a 51 foot Sitka Spruce Mast off a 38 foot Choey Lee Sloop (1979).

The mast is original and still in good shape.

The bottom 9" has become dry rotted in need of repair.

If there are any books or manuals available to review and learn how to Make a Scarf Joint I have the lumber and the ability to DIY this myself.

I haven't found a good book or video detailing how to cut out the part of the bad wood plus what is best ratio for the 9" of wood in need of repair.

Comments for How to make Scarf

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Aug 08, 2019
 Good information
by: Bill

Thank you Mike.
I have found a lumber yard that sells 20 foot lengths of 8/4 Sitka Spruce in widths of 7 inches.

My thoughts are to scarf in a 10 foot length from the bottom of my mast (extending more than the 2 inches I cut off) and shorter lengths around the 19 foot scarf; flat at the base.

Still researching the best way to do this.

I’d like to watch someone cut and do a scarf repair.

The mast is off a Choey Lee.
Aug 06, 2019
 Mast Rot
by: Mike

Cut well back from the rotted areas, then treat the exposed wood with to kill off any rot spores.

It looks to be a ‘built mast’ so, perhaps it might be best to scarf in replacements for the various components, staggering the lengths replaced.

The length of the scarf should be in the ratio of at least 8:1 in relation to the thickness of the plank, the preferred ratio is 12:1.

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