Mast Tie Spacer

This month we start with Brian W Anderson’s little device for helping tying sails onto the mast at a constant distance from the mast.  Thanks Brian:

To make device first cut base to required size. For 11 mm mast it should be 5.5 mm thick. Mine is 30 * 40 mm (only the 5.5 mm is critical for 11 mm thick mast).  I used balsa, 6mm ply is often 5.5 mm so would work well. Then cut the upright, in this case I decided on 2 mm gap, so cut wood into 40 * 30 mm. I had some 1 mm birch ply glued 2 together.  I cut a slot in the upright about 4 mm wide, 25 deep (leaving the bit to glue onto the base. Glue together – I used superglue.

To use, thread sail tie material through sail eye / hole and feed one end under the mast.  Slide the device under the mast with the thread through the slot. Now you can tie the thread as normal, several reefs work well.  Slide the device out from under the mast and superglue the knots.  Cut off excess tie material.

That’s it. “Simples”.