Does anyone have any idea what is the maximum length of a mast you are allowed to transport on a roofrack?  I assume there are "overhang" rules etc but have no idea what they are.  Has anyone had any experience of this?

Not sure of the current rules but Ken Merron used to transport his International 14 on the top of a Mini with the mast strapped alongside back in the 1960s and 70s. Suspect that the mast would have been at least 22ft 6"

The last time i looked for transporting anything with an overhang it was a max of 24" inches and then had to be marked with flag or simular but may have changed.

Use two cars?,- and pray nobody cuts between you!

When I first needed to tow a boat with the high top camper and couldn't get the mast up over the roof I phoned the local police to ask about the legal length it could project behind and the answer (after being referred to four different stations) was I believe six feet (or it may have been 2 metres). Anyway we've successfully transported the hog stepped Merlin mast on top of the boat all over the country with strips of flourescent pink and yellow spinnaker nylon as flags on the end. I've also thought of adding a bike rear light but never tried it yet.

We're a bit cautious in slow traffic - Audi drivers in particular seem hell bent on playing hoopla with their logo rings and our mast!

It's never really bothered me. 

I have transported masts ontop of a roof rack along motorways etc on many occassions (admittedly an estate car), passing the 'boys in blue' several times without being pulled. As long as you are sensible, strap it down properly and put hi vis rags at each end you are ok.

Someone will no doubt quote a highway regulation that stipulates......... but hey!

From another website, the view seems to be that if you apply the trailer overhang rules, you won't go far wrong.

"Marking of rear overhang 
Between 1m and 2m, ensure the end is clearly visible by attaching a piece of cloth or similar. 
Between 2m and 3.05m, a marker board as defined in the Regulations must be fitted and illuminated at night. 
If the overhang is more than 3.05m, an attendant must be carried and the police must be notified 2 days before commencing the journey."

i have carried a MR mast many times in Focus sized cars (sometimes inside).  I have found the major overhang problem is the front overhang: creeping out into junctions can be tricky.  Nver had questions from police tho.

If you are transporting anthing that overhangs by more than 1m put a flag on it (This is European law).

Chairs, You may not have had any questions from police but this does not mean it is legal. If there is a death resulting from an accident you are responsible and may be subject to a prison sentence.

Nigel

Chairs in prison? - wouldn't like to be the warder