I'm sure this topic has been done to death but it's difficult to find relevant posts.

I'm planning to convert my Yachting World 5 Tonner and, thanks to invaluable help from Arne, it looks quite achievable. The main issue is funds.

Graham suggests 200mm dia. at the partners, tapered,  and it'll be approx 10-11 metres tall.

I don't even know where to start looking, obviously straight tubing is easy to get, although expensive.

Is there any reason why I couldn't use an old hefty yacht mast, trimmed to length, if I could find one? is it an issue of strength when you take away the effects of the rigging?

I don't have an issue sourcing sailcloth and sewing the sail, it's just the mast that is flummoxing me.