Flagpoles that I looked at online came in 6061 t6 grade aluminum, which is the common structural grade in the US. There are some architectural grade poles, 6063, that are don't have the same strength.  I see 4 in and 5 in diam X 1/8 in. listed.  4inch in would be  undersized for the CP19 at 2000 lbs empty, a 7 ft beam and 40% ballast ratio. As far as length that would depend on your sail design.  If I chose  a flagpole in a tabernacle I would have had to go with a 5 inch pole longer than I need and cut it down.

I went with a straight tube, 4.5in x1/8 in. 6061 t6. I'm satisfied that I got it right with enough safety margin for my use but you would want calculate for yourself or seek other opinions if you went this way. It was so much cheaper than the flag pole.  I ordered my tube it through a local steel yard in a 24  ft length (the maximum) and shipping was included.  I had planned for a 23.5 ft mast in a tabernacle. I looked at industrial pipe clamps as part of a hinged set up.  That changed for two reasons.  I moved to a place where I can keep the boat on a mooring in one location and it's more complex to hinge or pivot a hollow aluminum tube.  The mast ended up to be keel stepped so I added the several feet in wood to the top. Keel stepping with a straight tube allowed me to use Arne's simple methods for securing the straight mast in the straight partners and step which look to work fine in these sized boats.

Arne Kverneland's chapters and write up on sail making in the public junk information files should have helpful info.  Arne's page is a key place to designing, planning and doing no matter what type of sail you are considering. 

Phil Brown wrote:John wrote:

Hello Phil, my name is John and I've been quietly lurking on the JRA site learning as much as I have time to read ( too little).  I joined yesterday so that I could communicate directly with you.  I too own a Compac 19 that I would like to convert to a split junk rig.  I sail on the lakes near my home in Michigan and find that setting up the pointy rig takes more time than I would like.  I also love the ability to reef so easily.  I would really appreciate being able to speak with you on the phone about a million things. Thank you.

John, the possibility of seeing another CP19 junk rigged is a very pleasant surprise. I'll be glad to share any info that I can with you. I have no real knowledge on the split junk. I will contact you off site. I think you may enjoy the many advantages of membership here, including, as you know, feedback from very knowledgeable folks, encouragement and support, and searches of the site. Others here also may interested in your questions and choices.

If you keep your boat moored or docked you can get underway faster and more easily with the junk. It may be different if you are trailering. I can't say for sure but it's hard to picture it being quicker. On my O'day with its mast in a tabernacle, setting up with the junk sail used to take much longer than stepping the mast and rigging sail on the CP19's Bermuda rig but at 23 feet with a 27 ft wood mast (To raise I used a 'comealong' hand winch with two separate anchor points), the comparison may not be a good one. My priority wasn't speed as I mostly stayed in one place. There must be faster ways to rig parrels and other lines and ways to keep the bundle connected to the mast while trailering.. Others who have trailed junks would have better insight. Yes, I find junk reefing is a huge advantage, maybe more so with a boat like the 19 with its flatter bottom, harder bilges and very shallow keel that does best when heeled less.

Phil

I have a split-junk rig on my 21 ft. Van der Stadt Splinter 'Amiina'. 

Thanks to Slieve McGalliard, who conceived & designed the split-junk. 

I had the first sail made by a professional sail-maker.   It is/was very good

but made too large as the original design was for 220 sq. ft. , but all UK Splinters have downsized to ca. 175 sq. ft.  My new sail is 174 sq. ft. and Slieve made it himself on the kitchen table. He ensured it was built with enough camber in the leading edge of each panel. This new sail we made with much lighter weight spinnaker material, so each panel inflates to the cambered shape even in the lightest of winds. 

By chance i was out sailing yesterday and met up with David Harding, who wrote a review of Slieve's Poppy, and of my Amiina in PBO, copied later in JRA mags.  DH was suitably impressed with my new sail, said it seemed at least as powerful as the old 220 sq. ft. sail, and even easier to use. 

For Day sailing and coastal cruising there is nothing to beat the simplicity, ease of handling and power of the split junk. 

David Tyler rightly says that he would like to see a report of an ocean cruising split-junk, to see if the unsupported leaches of the jibs stand up to the rigours of an ocean cruise. Properly reinforced i see no reason why they should not  

With Slieve's Downhauls, all possibility of a Chinese gybe/ fan up is eliminated  Every panel is properly tensioned with great ease and simplicity  

Finally you have not experienced a gentle gybe, until you have gybed a split-junk  It makes gybing a pleasure and a delight  

As you might guess, I am a great fan of the split-junk.  It makes going to windward, and short tacking another pleasure, especially if the Bermudans are trying to tame a Genoa  

Cheers

Edward