Carbon Fiber Mast Upgrade

rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Hi all

I'm just scratching the curiosity itch. I have been trying to research details on carbon fiber masts and all that I've been able to find is how much they cost and some vague statistics that imply you can reduce the mass of your rig by approximately 25%.

If there is anyone here who has made the change, I'd love to hear (read) about it.
  1. How long ago did you make the change?
  2. What did it cost?
  3. From whom did you source your rig?
  4. What were the considerations/tradeoffs you had to make?
  5. Did you go all in and also choose dynema for the standing rigging or did you stay with standard SS stays?
    • Why did you make the choice you made?
  6. How much weight did you actually save?
    • How did you determine this number?
  7. Can you feel the difference when you sail? If so, how dramatic is the difference?
    • Stiffness?
    • Pitch and roll?
  8. Did you add any height to your mast or go with original specs?
    • If you added height, did you work with a sail loft to determine how to cut the new sails to maintain the location of the CE?
  9. Have there been any unwanted performance issues with the new rig?
  10. Would you do it again?
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,700
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Are you interested in a CF mast for a particular size or kind of boat? Or just general information? I just read an article on this a few days ago, if I can remember where it was I'll post it.
 
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Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,336
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
We made the switch about 6 years ago. Went from an aluminum furling mast which we didn’t like for numerous reasons to a boom furler and carbon mast. The performance difference is startling!
i don’t recall &&& which entailed the mast, boom, new rigging and new sails but suspect those are dependent on boat size which probably can’t be extrapolated.

the weight aloft savings was substantial. I can only subjectively compare before/after sailing characteristics other than to say it depends on how you use your boat. If we sailed only locally, I wouldn’t recommend the switch. The only thing I don’t like about the new mast is it makes it much more difficult without steps to ascend the mast. Otherwise, we are very happy.
 
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rgranger

rgranger

.
Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
dlochner said:
Are you interested in a CF mast for a particular size or kind of boat? Or just general information? I just read an article on this a few days ago, if I can remember where it was I'll post it.
Click to expand
That would be great.

In about two years I will slow down a bit at work and should be able to take 6-weeks off each summer. I want to start working my way around the great loop.

I'm very keen on setting up a small pocket cruiser under 30' (Maybe my Rhodes) and really trick it out for extended cruising. I have a lot of ideas on my wish list for this boat but I won't list them here so I don't hijack my own thread...;)

I think a Nor'sea 27 would be a good choice.


I can put her on the trailer when I need to take a break from the loop.

So I am researching all of the various components. I've had a harder time getting info on CF masts. None of the sites I have visited have product specifications for the CF mast ... at least it is not posted in an obviouls place.
 
rgranger

rgranger

.
Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Don S/V ILLusion said:
The only thing I don’t like about the new mast is it makes it much more difficult without steps to ascend the mast. Otherwise, we are very happy.
Click to expand
Thanks Don

So would it be possible to add steps to a CF mast or is there something intrinsic about CF masts that make that impracticle?
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,336
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
rgranger said:
Thanks Don

So would it be possible to add steps to a CF mast or is there something intrinsic about CF masts that make that impracticle?
Click to expand
I can relate only what I was told by the company which made the mast - essentially, fastening anything is analogous to drilling a hole in the side of a radial tire. I was told it voided whatever integrity the carbon holds.
They also warned against any abrasion which can affect whatever they applied to preclude UV damage.
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,746
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
The Nor’Sea is a well designed small cruising boat. A Lyle Hess design. Originally he designed wood boats. I loved he’s philosophy.
Lyle Hess "any boat that points her bow out to sea should be designed so that the crew need not worry about a safe return--no matter what tricks the weather may play”​
He had a hand in the design of the Montgomery boats. The 15 was my first pocket cruiser. Tough little boat. True to the Hess philosophy.

A NorSea would serve you well.

Bob Perry has been recently designing boats with CF masts and hulls. There is a builder/shop in Anacortes WA that has developed molds and produced some of his designs. They might be helpful. I’ll see if I can find a link for you.
 
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capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,905
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I should imagine it would seriously change the weight aloft to keel ratio considerably. If any of you have been moored in the water without a mast, I'm sure you understand.
The few crew I've talked to on mega-sailing yachts with carbon fiber/line rigging have mentioned around 2k # difference aloft. Perhaps it makes little noticeable difference on big boats like those, but without a marine architect I can't see it as a favorable improvement on any boat.
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,336
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
capta said:
I should imagine it would seriously change the weight aloft to keel ratio considerably. If any of you have been moored in the water without a mast, I'm sure you understand.
The few crew I've talked to on mega-sailing yachts with carbon fiber/line rigging have mentioned around 2k # difference aloft. Perhaps it makes little noticeable difference on big boats like those, but without a marine architect I can't see it as a favorable improvement on any boat.
Click to expand
Largely subjective so it’s hard to make any generalization regarding what effect the reduced weight has on our boat’s response to sea state after the change. Sailing now seems the boat is quicker to respond to commands. On long passages, it seems “lighter” if you know what I mean.
the biggest difference to me is in the ease and control in sail handling but that is primarily due to the boom furler.
We did have a marine architect plan out and bless the changes.
 
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heritage

heritage

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Apr 22, 2011
921
Hunter 27 Pecan Grove, Oriental, NC
My boating buddy built a 29' sloop with a carbon fiber mast and gaff rig. The mast is set in a tabernacle. The gaff rig allows for a shorter mast without having a smaller mainsail. He can raise and lower the mast by himself with the aid of a tripod.
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

.
Sep 25, 2008
7,336
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
heritage said:
My boating buddy built a 29' sloop with a carbon fiber mast and gaff rig. The mast is set in a tabernacle. The gaff rig allows for a shorter mast without having a smaller mainsail. He can raise and lower the mast by himself with the aid of a tripod.
Click to expand
Perfect option for every boat mast which is often stepped.
 
B

Barnacle Bill

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Jun 9, 2008
1,792
- -- -Bayfield
Had two J/32's sailing side by side. One with an aluminum mast - the other with a a carbon rig. The carbon rig was able to carry the larger headsails much further into higher wind ranges. The other had to shorten sail. I think I remember the carbon rig eliminated something like 100 lbs aloft. It was a hefty price. I believe Hall Spars made that one. Selden Mast makes carbon rigs as well.
 
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