My mast is an eucaliptus tree!!! And I love it!!!! I treated properly, antifoul, epoxi resin and a good quality 8 coats varnish on top of all

No stays, My set up is replacing a sloop rig tall mast for the shorter old guys version. I am going to use paracord for the stays vs stainless. thanks, for your great idea of using what you have. Getting on the water !

I wonder if a long piece of straight driftwood could be used

I would have tapered it a bit, you're likely to have the boat top heavy. Of course, you would have needed a pulley for your halyard.

Love a 20ft boat. My boat's done to the 20 ft standard, much to my wifes chagrin.....

Do you have any advice for people that don't own land? Is it legal to chop down trees on public land?