Andrew, thank you. This part is stamped, "Taiwan" right on the top and is an original on a vintage 2003 R-21 mast, so it indicates, in this example, that it was sourced. Taiwan had some prized boat builders and suppliers in the day. Tommy Chen who built 76+, Lord Nelson Victory Tugs (LNVT's) is an excellent example of Taiwanese boat building craftsmanship. Tommy is still alive and the LNVT's bring him over every year for their annual Rendezvous. Slackwater, in response to your inquiry, my recent purchase and project came without a mast. From what I have observed, the early mast components were Dwyer Mast Co components. My exceptions have been the mast heads. What is interesting, is that every screw on the current 1998 R-21 project are all original Phillips drive. Conversely, a 2003 R-21 example is all Robertson (square) drive, or what Florida boat builders used to call, "Hatteras screws" when that builder recognized it's superior characteristics over Phillips. I have a 2003 that has Robertson drives in every component, right down to the two screws that attaches the original series 25, Aqua-Signal, anchor light to the Taiwan molded mast head referenced above. If you have an R-21 Classic and we cross paths, I will shamelessly ask to examine your boat forensically. With Andrew's contribution regarding molds that are no longer in Ranger's possession, I'm assuming on the earliest boats, Ranger was molding their own mast heads and then was able to source them to Taiwan? Will look for those early hull numbers and examine those prized masts for clues.
