Hi, I've tracked down a supplier of what I hope will be suitable for a mast for 22 foot boat (Hurley 22), which is 6½" (O/D  ¼") aluminium tube (6082 T6). I take it that thicker wall is actually better, as this is 6.35mm verses 3mm, which seems more common for junk masts? 

Also, although I expect I can only get 5 metre sections, and so need to make a wooden top section (3 metres), if I could get a full length 8 metre tube, would this really be so bad? Most stayed masts have no taper (but thinner), so although chunky 6 inch mast be so bad?

I'm planning on building a tabernacle in the same style as Annie Hill (who has been really great help), which means an 8 metre mast will be 8 metres above the partners, so hope this should still be a lightweight mast (my boat is a bilge keel model).

Thanks in advance for any advice or thoughts.

Andy