“I’ve sailed my wooden 40′ schooner for seven years in waters from Nova Scotia to the Chesapeake. She was built in 1972 by Palmer Boats in Nova Scotia. Construction is pine planking on oak frames. Masts are dove-tailed and stepped in the keel, but unfortunately one needed replacing. The foremast was found to have significant rot at the foot and several cracks in the topmost section.

Dutch Wharf, which has cared for Renegade since I purchased her in 2005, was commissioned to build the new foremast. DW carpenters milled 2″ Sitka spruce laminates to length (43′), and glued them to their approximate thickness (ultimate diameter) on all sides. The new material was then hand tapered to 16 sides in four successive steps. Next came rounding the masts retaining the eight-sided interface where it passes through the deck allowing for mast partners. Final steps included cutting the dovetail for the step and re-fashioning the tang collar at top. The work was completed on time and within the agreed budget. I elected to paint the completed mast myself and could not be happier with the result. I now look forward to many more years of worry-free sailing.”