David wrote:

[...] application of heat to the stainless will release the joint. A normal heat gun is usually adequate, you need about 250 to 300 degrees celsius.[...]

It is epoxy to 6063-T6 aluminum.

Do I need to worry about messing up the temper of my mast by heating it with a heat gun?

Mine looks huge, too.  But on Speedwell, you don't even notice it, with the mast in and the sail on.  If you sail with junk rig, you have to get used to people making comments about your weird boat.  I've decided to paint my tabernacle aqua.  If you've got it, flaunt it!

Did you sort out the "hinge"?

Anonymous wrote:

I kept telling myself that this big box I was building would look less strange after it was mounted on the boat. Yesterday I dry fit the tabernacle. It still looks like a big box.

I think it needs a mast to look right... I would imagine the first ever sail looked strange compared to a paddle too. Generally what works well, looks right pretty quick.

I am a little happier with how the mast head is going. All the holes were drilled over-sized, filled with epoxy and re-drilled. 

I think I ended up with something strong enough, possible to modify later, and somewhat light weight.

Hi Scott, a bit more detail on materials and glue would help, but if epoxy and stainless to wood then application of heat to the stainless will release the joint. A normal heat gun is usually adequate, you need about 250 to 300 degrees celsius.

All the best, David.