tapered or not

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packman

packman

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May 29, 2009
98
Lancer 27ps Suisun City
Hello All,
My question concerns tapered vs non tapered masts. I'm purchasing a new mast from Ballenger Spars in the near future, I have two different quotes, one for a tapered, and one for a non tapered mast. What are the relative merits of each? I'm not destined to race my boat, unless against other ps models. It isnt a match for a "pure" sailboat. Is the tapered mast desireable for an overweight powersailor, Those of you with the right sense of humor might ask whether I'm talking about myself or my boat, the answer is yes. All bull aside, the difference in price between the non tapered mast without Spinnaker gear and the tapered with, is less than $1000. I probably won't be able to do this twice, so I'd like to get it right the first time. Can you help me out here?
Thanks

Rich
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
What was the OEM equipment on the boat? If you had a non-tapered mast, then that is what I would replace it with.

The obvious reason for a tapered mast is the weight aloft. Less heal!
 
RichH

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
A tapered mast is usually applied to a fractional rigged boat for the specific purpose of 'mast bending' - to aid in flattening or otherwise precisely controlling the minimum/maximum draft in the mainsail. The taper is usually only at the top sections of the mast so that the curve of the mast when 'bent' is more pronounced at the top, allowing more flatness in the upper sections/panels of the mainsail.

Tapered masts are found on radical high speed racing/planing boats; so, a 'powersailer' would probably NOT benefit from the usage of a tapered mast. You most probably already have a straight mast; and, you should duplicate that mast for your boat.
 
Ted

Ted

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Jan 26, 2005
1,278
C&C 110 Bay Shore, Long Island, NY
It's hard to believe that Ballenger Spars would even suggest a tapered mast for your boat. If you don't race there is really no point going tapered. There will only be a very small difference in boat speed, maybe only a tenth or two. Go with a non tapered mast an spend the difference on some other sailing goodies.
 
packman

packman

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May 29, 2009
98
Lancer 27ps Suisun City
Well,
I don't know about "B&R" but my old rig is certainly a fractional
 
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