I need to replace the upper breasthook (and surround) for reasons I am too embarrassed to relate. Well OK, if you must know I hit powerlines (in a camping area where I did not expect them) with the mast up on my trailer. Lesson learned: NEVER move the boat on a trailer with the mast up, no matter how short the distance. (Actually I learned a lot of hard lessons at Lake Eufaula last week, but this one was definitely the hardest.) So, the bowsprit was torn in half (longitudinally so I can glue it back together) the upper breasthook was ripped out, along with parts of the anchor-well sides, and the tabernacle was damaged. The tabernacle is not a problem because the one I have on there now is made of red oak and was always meant to be temporary. Thankfully it is not glued in, just bolted. (Why glue it anyway, the stays and shrouds take all the stress and I'd rather replace the tabernacle than the mast.)
ALL that being said, I need a small bit of plywood to fashion a new breasthook. Anyone know of a source where I can avoid buying an entire 4x8 sheet? Otherwise I'm considering using exterior luan and sealing it up extra well with epoxy. I don't think it has much structural function other than forming the stringers into a proper bend. It seems to me the lower breasthook has more to do with structure.
Any opinions or ideas are welcome.