Carbon fiber mast, masthead rig

[Kestle]

As anyone bought the carbon fibre Mac mast and rigged it masthead, so you can sail with old J24 sales? I'm curious if it was worth the cost and effort.

Jeff

 

[THECUSCUS]

I haven't gone the carbon fiber mast route, but have modified a new Mac alum mast to use the J24 headsails. To use the J24 mains, you would need about 3 1/2 feet more mast ( or lower the boom + mast length combo). It would be a nice setup if ordering a new, cut to your specs stick. The J24 155 genoa works out to about a 130 on a V25. It performs well in moderate winds. The downside is going downwind in light air, its not enough sail to be competitive with the 155's. On a windward- reaching type course it really works well, especially at windspeeds where the 155's start to get overpowered. The beauty of this mod is really that you can buy really nice high tech sails for a fraction of their original cost ($150 to 300). It only costs you the price of new upper shrouds and a forestay ( you can use your old uppers as the new lowers). I didnt need to run the forestay to the mast head, its about 3' short of it ( a 15/16th rig, the original was more like a 3/4). Plenty of room for the spinnaker block hound and I can still use the adj backstay to bent the mast. I moved the spreaders up the same distance that the forestay was moved to keep the ratios the same.

 

[Freedom77]

Had Freedom masthead rigged at the factory to carry bigger Genoa and chute. Used heavier extrusion, Sparcraft S-106 Stock Mac is a Sparcraft S-104. Spreaders are 14 ft or halfway up the mast. Don't know what carbon fiber costs but aluminum is probably less.

 

[Kestle]

I'd heard the MacGregor was offering some rotating masts right before they closed in carbon, which got me thinking. Not sure if 3 feet up that needle top helps any with speed.

Why did you go with a heavier extrusion?

Jeff

 

[Kestle]

I haven't gone the carbon fiber mast route, but have modified a new Mac alum mast to use the J24 headsails. To use the J24 mains, you would need about 3 1/2 feet more mast ( or lower the boom + mast length combo). It would be a nice setup if ordering a new, cut to your specs stick. The J24 155 genoa works out to about a 130 on a V25. It performs well in moderate winds. The downside is going downwind in light air, its not enough sail to be competitive with the 155's. On a windward- reaching type course it really works well, especially at windspeeds where the 155's start to get overpowered. The beauty of this mod is really that you can buy really nice high tech sails for a fraction of their original cost ($150 to 300). It only costs you the price of new upper shrouds and a forestay ( you can use your old uppers as the new lowers). I didnt need to run the forestay to the mast head, its about 3' short of it ( a 15/16th rig, the original was more like a 3/4). Plenty of room for the spinnaker block hound and I can still use the adj backstay to bent the mast. I moved the spreaders up the same distance that the forestay was moved to keep the ratios the same.

What are your port stantions? They look like a mod, but can't see them clearly in the photo.

Jeff

 

[THECUSCUS]

Jeff, the stanchions are from Garhauer, which are very nice for the price. Removeable from the base. 2 per side, lifelines attach to bottom of rear bow pulpit and the stern rail. I got them with the provision for the second lifeline just in case.

 

[Kestle]

I haven't gone the carbon fiber mast route, but have modified a new Mac alum mast to use the J24 headsails. To use the J24 mains, you would need about 3 1/2 feet more mast ( or lower the boom + mast length combo). It would be a nice setup if ordering a new, cut to your specs stick. The J24 155 genoa works out to about a 130 on a V25. It performs well in moderate winds. The downside is going downwind in light air, its not enough sail to be competitive with the 155's. On a windward- reaching type course it really works well, especially at windspeeds where the 155's start to get overpowered. The beauty of this mod is really that you can buy really nice high tech sails for a fraction of their original cost ($150 to 300). It only costs you the price of new upper shrouds and a forestay ( you can use your old uppers as the new lowers). I didnt need to run the forestay to the mast head, its about 3' short of it ( a 15/16th rig, the original was more like a 3/4). Plenty of room for the spinnaker block hound and I can still use the adj backstay to bent the mast. I moved the spreaders up the same distance that the forestay was moved to keep the ratios the same.

That makes sense. Do you recall which size mast you used? Or did you have a rigger choose the size?

Jeff

 

[Kestle]

Had Freedom masthead rigged at the factory to carry bigger Genoa and chute. Used heavier extrusion, Sparcraft S-106 Stock Mac is a Sparcraft S-104. Spreaders are 14 ft or halfway up the mast. Don't know what carbon fiber costs but aluminum is probably less.

How long a Sparcraft S-106 you put in, if I can ask?

Jeff

 

[THECUSCUS]

I used the replacement mast that BWY sells for the 26X. It was very close to the oriinal V25 profile.

 

[Freedom77]

Hi Kestle: prior to buying Freedom some of the V-24's on the Cali coast were going masthead rig in order to carry larger headsails. A few of them got dismasted due to heavier load. On a close haul the mast would pump and fall down and go boom. This could definitely ruin your day. I was crewing with a friend and we were about 100 ft from the finish line in first place when his mast broke at the spreaders. The spreader just sheared off at the mast. Some went with standard replacement with extra shrouds and a jackstay. I asked Roger if he could masthead rig our boat out of the factory with S-106. (stock is S-104) It is still the standard 28 feet but forestay goes all the way up. I also installed a chicken head and ran halyards internal. This allows me to hoist a 525 sq ft chute and larger headsails. Picture from the Cuscus looks like 7/8 rig but he is apparently using a taller mast. The standard forestay rig on a V/Mac 25 is 21 ft from mast base. also would recommend heavier stainless spreaders. Only issue with the heavier mast is that it takes two strong people to raise it. Hope this gives some ideas.

 

[Kestle]

Hi Kestle: prior to buying Freedom some of the V-24's on the Cali coast were going masthead rig in order to carry larger headsails. A few of them got dismasted due to heavier load. On a close haul the mast would pump and fall down and go boom. This could definitely ruin your day. I was crewing with a friend and we were about 100 ft from the finish line in first place when his mast broke at the spreaders. The spreader just sheared off at the mast. Some went with standard replacement with extra shrouds and a jackstay. I asked Roger if he could masthead rig our boat out of the factory with S-106. (stock is S-104) It is still the standard 28 feet but forestay goes all the way up. I also installed a chicken head and ran halyards internal. This allows me to hoist a 525 sq ft chute and larger headsails. Picture from the Cuscus looks like 7/8 rig but he is apparently using a taller mast. The standard forestay rig on a V/Mac 25 is 21 ft from mast base. also would recommend heavier stainless spreaders. Only issue with the heavier mast is that it takes two strong people to raise it. Hope this gives some ideas.

It does thanks!

I wonder if the dismastings happened from poor engineering on the carbon, shrouds or cabintop oscillation. The extra weight worries me on the S-106, as these are light boats. What issues have you had with the masthead?

Jeff

 

[Freedom77]

HI Kestle, Mast isn't carbon. Aluminum. I think some of the problem were due to weak spreaders shearing off due to mast "pumping" side to side? Extra weight of mast is a trade off for bigger headsails and chute. V-25 is a little heavier than M-25. Masthead rig to me is a plus. although rerigging would require new upper and lower shrouds. Also I would encourage all owners to check base of mast support post in cabin to make sure there is not space between hull liner and keel trunk.

 

[Kestle]

HI Kestle, Mast isn't carbon. Aluminum. I think some of the problem were due to weak spreaders shearing off due to mast "pumping" side to side? Extra weight of mast is a trade off for bigger headsails and chute. V-25 is a little heavier than M-25. Masthead rig to me is a plus. although rerigging would require new upper and lower shrouds. Also I would encourage all owners to check base of mast support post in cabin to make sure there is not space between hull liner and keel trunk.

Don't you have to drill a hole to see that?

Jeff

 

[Freedom77]

On the V-25 you can reach the keel trunk by going through the dinette seat hatch and reaching forward on top of the keel trunk. Not sure on M-25??

 

[Kestle]

On the V-25 you can reach the keel trunk by going through the dinette seat hatch and reaching forward on top of the keel trunk. Not sure on M-25??

Comment: duh on my part. Only thought about the other side. That'll teach me to drink Bud.

Can you get a brace up there, or is it better to just put a piece of oak and 5200? I'm not sure what is the best way to reduce the pogo-ing if I go for the taller mast. Anyone do this with a Mac 25 ideally '87?

Jeff