Anonymous wrote:

Hi Graham,

what is he asking for the masts? I will be having a look at the Van de Stadt Dogger I forwarded details of to you when I get to Australia in early June and she will need a free standing mast for  junk rig, if I decide to take her on!!

All the best, David.

He is asking 2K each.  The ads are on Gumtree, just search for junk rig mast.  They are in the Tweed region near Gary.  I'm not sure if I am up to a major project and might just buy a bermudian rigged glass boat in the end, or stay ashore for a while, but if the right boat came along for less than 20K that was sound but needed a new rig I would be tempted.  The Doggers are ply I seem to remember, though a good boat if sound.

I have discovered a couple of unstayed hollow timber masts, 12m and 11m, for sale near here, not sure what boat they came off of.  I have not contacted the owner as I don't have a boat yet I could put them on.  Actually I just want one of the masts, and a glass boat of 28-30 ft to put it on.  Problem is I don't want a huge project.  Most boats in reasonable condition have good bermudian rigs I could not afford to throw away (no chance of selling them), and those with old tired rigs tend to be old and tired full stop.  Just need one that has been recently dismasted!  Anywhere between Sydney and Cairns.  I have been thinking of a small yacht like a Top Hat 25, but these masts would likely be too big for that.  Feeling very unsettled as I wait for suitable weather to deliver Arion to the new owner, and wondering if I have made the right decision, but in truth I was losing the maintenance battle due to health issues.  The weather has been nasty for weeks.  I might get away Friday for the next leg.  Looking at boats everywhere I go but no luck so far.