Grain

End view of my new hollow top mast for the boat.
I got four nice knot-free lengths of 21mm square timber, routed out the corner in a curve, glued them together to make a square with a round hole up the middle, then planed the outside off to make it round (and tapered).
It's 3.2m long 40mm diameter at its fattest and only weighs 1.6kg - 600g lighter than if it was solid and about 80% as strong.
Quite pleased with it really.
Needs a few more coats of varnish and then the governor's getting her sewing machine out to make a top-sail.

Pictures to come.......