[chopsy]

Bruce,

As I have been in the market for new wooden masts for my boat I can give you an indication of price. We have a 41'' ketch. The main is about 50'' long and the mizzen about 45''. The quotes we got were about $10,000.00 for the main and $7,000.00 for the mizzen, if we ordered both. The shipping was about $3,200.00. Lots of money for wood. I feel it is worth it. The lead-time was about 6 months, I am sure that is exaggerated for safety. I understand that price includes spreaders and Kevlar reinforced joints. More high-tech of a mast that was originally on our boat. No fittings were included. There lots of books that show you how to build a box section mast. Not really a master carpenters task. Good woodworking skills, lots of clamps, space, and an ironclad will to do it would save you thousands. Biggest chore is finding dried, long grain spruce in stock. We haven''t ordered our new masts yet, I am still considering if I am man enough to build my own.

Paul G.