Can't speak to the power, though i'd be willing to be my Bosch 1617 would get it done.

Here's a link to one vendor's bit, bottom of the page. Has a video posted there as well.
MLCS Euro door, door lip, finger pull, drawer lock bits, glue joint router bits

earl

 

I may be way off base here, so please forgive me if that is the case. But as I try and come up with unique things to try with my homebuilt floating router lathe I think this could work.
You could cut your pieces for the hollow mast and glue them up. then easily round the tapered mast to close tolerances. Of course you would need a lathe and router.
If you are interested, I will be making another video, this time on how I made the gizmo, and posting in in my thread. As part of the video will be the 'guide' adjustment I came up with to accurately cut the taper.
Just my two cents.

 

John,

One of the best forums for building boats is Wooden Boat's Forum: The WoodenBoat Forum

A wealth of information and very active.

 

Why not do it the easy way and use a table saw?

 

The real easy way,just bolt your router to plywood for a table top and a true 2 x 4 for a fence,easy stuff..with a router and a belt hand sander you will have it done..

" how powerful a router " = Just about any 1/2"shank router will do the job..

MLCS How To - Multi-Sided Glue Joint Router Bits - YouTube

==

 

I was way off. I thought he was talking about a model boat. Sorry.

 

If you haven't got your plans yet, you might want to consider one of these boats. The Stevenson Projects Pocket Yachts No connection with them, just like the designs. They tell how to make masts, simple and easy, and there are tons of videos on youtube about making, and sailing, the Weekender, which seems to be a very popular boat.

 

Thanks for all the reply's. I will try to respond to them, in order, in this post.

Earl, The bit you linked to looks like what I am trying to do. Thanks
Flockshot, I was about to question the idea of a lathe due to length, but saw your follow up. Thanks.
Bnaboatbuilder, Thanks for the Wooden Boat link. Have now bookmarked it.
Bobj3, Great link and video, thanks.
Mgmine, I think the router bits look like the way to go, for me.
JOAT, I am thinking smaller, lighter, day-sailer, not to mention, faster.

In choosing a design, I am trying to balance speed vs comfort. I am not sure I want to be hiking out much anymore, but I do like speed. The first design I looked at was Dudley Dix's PapaerJet 14, but I think it is too high performance for this stage of life. He suggested his Argie 15 as an alternate. Might be too staid , but looks very promising in sailing video. He has a new design being built for the wooden boat show in Mystic, the DS15, which may be a good compromise between his other two designs.
Another interesting stitch and glue is the i550, in its various versions. But, maybe to big at 18'. Want to be able to sail solo if needed. I don't want to have to find another person to be able to go out for a short sail.

Thanks for all the advice, I hope my description of what I am after doesn't bore to many.
John

 

John...good luck and success with your boat project...I also wouldn't worry too much about the size and sailing alone...I solo my Ericson 38 more often than with crew...I've even raced it solo in non-spinnaker and placed 2nd and 3rd...have fun with the project and even more when you get it on the water...pictures as you go would be nice...

Nick