freedom 21 Catboat and Carbon Fiber Mast
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markst95
- Bottom Sanding Grunt
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:31 am
- Boat Name: Swift
- Boat Type: Cape Dory Typhoon
freedom 21 Catboat and Carbon Fiber Mast
Hi all- I'm thinking of purchasing a Freedom 21 catboat, Any Thoughts? My main concern is the unstayed carbon fiber mast. the boats were built back in the 80's, I'm wondering on the longevity of these masts. Thanks for any info. Mark
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earlylight
- Candidate for Boat-Obsession Medal
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- Boat Name: Early Light
- Boat Type: 1982 Sabre 34 MK I
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Re: freedom 21 Catboat and Carbon Fiber Mast
This is infornation from Vanaheim Technologies Ltd website. Hope it helps.
Carbon Fibre has been a real boon to the racing dinghy sailor. It's long lasting properties ensure that the inital higher cost of a spar is easily offset by a long life span.
Add to this is the ability of a carbon spar to be modified to suit the needs of the sailor. Be it in the bending characteristics for Finn or OK masts, or the addition of stiffening in selected places to control mast flexing in stayed masts.
Carbon fibre masts can suffer incredible abuse before failure, however they must be repaired as and when problems arise. The motto for carbon spar owners is "eternal vigilance".
Inspect the spars frequently and get damage fixed before there is a break. While broken carbon fibre masts can be repaired, it is better to fix before they break.
Carbon Fibre has been a real boon to the racing dinghy sailor. It's long lasting properties ensure that the inital higher cost of a spar is easily offset by a long life span.
Add to this is the ability of a carbon spar to be modified to suit the needs of the sailor. Be it in the bending characteristics for Finn or OK masts, or the addition of stiffening in selected places to control mast flexing in stayed masts.
Carbon fibre masts can suffer incredible abuse before failure, however they must be repaired as and when problems arise. The motto for carbon spar owners is "eternal vigilance".
Inspect the spars frequently and get damage fixed before there is a break. While broken carbon fibre masts can be repaired, it is better to fix before they break.