When considering investing in a carbon rig what criteria do you use to select the supplier? I know the criteria for the finical aspects, but what about who to use? Geography is one, if you are close to them the shipping is less, but what about the shop? Any ideas, experiences? I'm looking at buying a cruising/racing hull that needs a mast. What I am saving on the hull, I might invest in a CF rig.
Carbon rigs
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What is the hull? Was it designed to accept a common CF rig or will it need to be custom?
Depending on the overall condition of the hull, you may need that extra money for many other things and in my opinion your money will be better spent on an aluminum rig and some really nice sails.
If you plan on PHRF racing, you will likely take a hit for the CF rig that you will never be able to sail to.
Depending on the overall condition of the hull, you may need that extra money for many other things and in my opinion your money will be better spent on an aluminum rig and some really nice sails.
If you plan on PHRF racing, you will likely take a hit for the CF rig that you will never be able to sail to.
While of course a CF rig is better it is so in a Formula One kind of money is no object way both in initial cost and the ongoing upkeep of the finish which protects the epoxy resin from UV degrading
In one design racing there have been many class boats that when 'some' changed to CF spars, the advantages were so vast that those with CF masts became independent and evolved into entirely separate classes, essentially 'killing' the class that they evolved from. The advantages of CF were/are mast 'bendability' for precise main sail shaping ability, significant lessening of weight aloft, etc. However, during that 'evolution' many of the CF masts encountered mast failure due probably in the pursuit to get the 'lightest' spar but risking less strength so if you do go CF you must choose between vulnerability vs. weight aloft. Also, Make sure that your intended 'class' is an 'open class' or 'development class' which accepts changes or if a closed class which keeps the scantlings fixed for a level playing field. Otherwise you may be making yourself obsolete and at great expense.
BTW/FWIW - enhanced mainsail shaping via spar bending usually requires on-the-fly mast raking, so also carefully evaluate your intended class to see if this added cost requirement 'stacks up' with $$$ addition of the CF spar.
There is a middle ground (but check your intended class rules) in that a 'log' type aluminum mast 'can' be tapered, or you can seek an already tapered Al mast, wherin a 'v' is cut from the section through most of the mast top and about 1/3rd the way down on both sides the mast then rewelded ... and a 'moment bending bar' is added to the head - essentially a horizontal 'bar' at the top that extends well aft and the (full adjust) backstay is connected to the aft end of the 'bar'.
Tapering is a 'halfway' and the CF masts through better evolution/knowledge have most entirely replaced the tapered Al masts ..... and those boats that didnt change now sail essentially 'obsolete' class boats. So too, such boats should have extreme 'light weight' and 'precise' laminate sails to 'match' the lightweight spars and matched to the skill of the helmsman. Were talking serious $$$$ here.
Of course this all depends on how serious and how deep your pockets are ... and if such an investment will yield the results you're looking for. However, be sure that you dont become soooooooo much better that your optimization so far exceeds the rest of the fleet that you race with ... that the other boats in the fleet become so less competitive that their interest wanes and the fleet begins to decline ... a common problem in racing and high performance sailing nowadays. When all the boats are fairly evenly matched it then primarily depends on the skill, and the learning curve, of the sailors rather than how much $$$$ you can pour over a boat by buying gimmicks and gizmos.
For serious consideration of a CF mast, I suggest you go to forums such as "SailingAnarchy.com"
Eg.: cfcomposites.com - as an example.
BTW/FWIW - enhanced mainsail shaping via spar bending usually requires on-the-fly mast raking, so also carefully evaluate your intended class to see if this added cost requirement 'stacks up' with $$$ addition of the CF spar.
There is a middle ground (but check your intended class rules) in that a 'log' type aluminum mast 'can' be tapered, or you can seek an already tapered Al mast, wherin a 'v' is cut from the section through most of the mast top and about 1/3rd the way down on both sides the mast then rewelded ... and a 'moment bending bar' is added to the head - essentially a horizontal 'bar' at the top that extends well aft and the (full adjust) backstay is connected to the aft end of the 'bar'.
Tapering is a 'halfway' and the CF masts through better evolution/knowledge have most entirely replaced the tapered Al masts ..... and those boats that didnt change now sail essentially 'obsolete' class boats. So too, such boats should have extreme 'light weight' and 'precise' laminate sails to 'match' the lightweight spars and matched to the skill of the helmsman. Were talking serious $$$$ here.
Of course this all depends on how serious and how deep your pockets are ... and if such an investment will yield the results you're looking for. However, be sure that you dont become soooooooo much better that your optimization so far exceeds the rest of the fleet that you race with ... that the other boats in the fleet become so less competitive that their interest wanes and the fleet begins to decline ... a common problem in racing and high performance sailing nowadays. When all the boats are fairly evenly matched it then primarily depends on the skill, and the learning curve, of the sailors rather than how much $$$$ you can pour over a boat by buying gimmicks and gizmos.
For serious consideration of a CF mast, I suggest you go to forums such as "SailingAnarchy.com"
Eg.: cfcomposites.com - as an example.
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If you are thinking of putting a carbon rig on a Chrysler 22, then don't bother. Carbon rigs are very expensive. They reduce the weight alof which eliminates pitch and usually you can carry your larger sails longer into higher wind velocities besides the weight loss advantage. Some one design classes have gone to carbon rigs. Like the Ultimate 20's. Only thing is they had their nationals with both aluminum and carbon rigs and didn't adjust handicapping. If you have a hot go fast boat and you are playing on the level where money is no object and you are racing with the big boys, then a carbon rig might make sense. Many of the j/boats come standard with carbon rigs and some are optional. Hall Spars in RI makes them and they really are dominating in the carbon rig game. It is pretty impressive to watch them build a spar and then put it in their autoclave. Very long spars have to be spliced. Call the Halls for great information if you really are serious about this.
I went this very route a few years ago. I contacted Nan Hall at Hall Spars but in the end I decided that the cost was way beyond what I was willing to spend, though I would have dearly loved to do it.
The mast on my 35.5, as RichH points out, is an aluminum tapered mast which yields a good deal of sail shaping ability already. Sure there would be some advantage to going CF but the (at the time) 30K nut just didn't seem to make sense.
The mast on my 35.5, as RichH points out, is an aluminum tapered mast which yields a good deal of sail shaping ability already. Sure there would be some advantage to going CF but the (at the time) 30K nut just didn't seem to make sense.
carbon stick
My understanding is that Selden has gotten into the carbon spar biz and now has a selection of more production line made masts available. Might be worth a call. If they have something that's about the right size that will work it'd probably be a whole lot cheaper than calling the Hall boys.
side note: CF spars do not handle lightning strikes well
My understanding is that Selden has gotten into the carbon spar biz and now has a selection of more production line made masts available. Might be worth a call. If they have something that's about the right size that will work it'd probably be a whole lot cheaper than calling the Hall boys.
side note: CF spars do not handle lightning strikes well
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