Replacement Aluminum mast vs. going carbon

[Mike Myers (RWS)]

My aluminum rig snapped (right where they all do) at bayfield race week in July. It was a bummer, but we’ve got a great video of it, and I took it as a silver lining opportunity to get a carbon rig. Worked with Forte’ carbon to get the new rig and they were pleasant and polite, but slow, and extremely non-communicative. I ordered the mast in mid July and it just arrived in late September...sans all standing rigging and spreaders (which are currently nowhere to be found, but I am told they are in the mail).
This would be extremely frustrating since I’m supposed to be leaving for North Americans tomorrow, but the missing parts are unfortunately the least of my worries. I unboxed the new mast to find it massively (irreparably) damaged by the shipping company. It’s probably going to be another two months to get a new mast, and it’s already been a rough process. I’m considering having forte get their insurance payment from the shipping company, refunding my money, and going in search of a replacement aluminum mast.
What’s the general feeling on this?
Are there aluminum rigs to be found?
Is the carbon mast worth the hassle?
I’m borrowing a mast for NAs, but I need to decide on a solution for the spring.
All the best,
Mike


Link to the mast break video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d6fLd95CU5h3k2X_MrORgsYeR9PqWcVJ/view

[Bob Abelin]

When I purchased my boat last year it came with a fairly new Forte carbon.  The mast is great, light, stiff, and beautiful.  I’m really pleased with it so far.  The only downside with it was that none of the four mainsails that came with the boat fit the mast.  The carbon is simply stiffer and requires a flatter cut mainsail.  It also requires different rig tuning. So if you can get a new main or recut your old main to fit the new mast you should be ok.  For the added strength and stiffness I’d wait for the replacement carbon. 

[Mike Myers (RWS)]

Thanks, a new main is on the horizon for next season anyway so that shouldn’t be a problem. Glad to hear it’s probably worth the wait.

[Travis Gregory]

I thought Forte had one on the shelf on behalf of the class.  Maybe Keith or someone with knowledge of this could chime in on your experience waiting.  I am not sure what the arrangement is.

I like the Aluminum rig and would probably look for another if I broke mine (knock on wood).  I don't want to deal with having to tune a carbon mast differently, change sails or worry about UV damage.

I would probably call Ballinger and ask if they would make you one.  I was in San Francisco this weekend and noticed that a couple of Olson 25's are sporting new Ballinger rigs.  Ballinger seems to be doing some  one-off type work.

With regard to keeping the aluminum rig up.  It looks like the high wind kit would of helped keep the lower mast in column.
I watched the video a few times.  It looks like you may need more main sheet tension, but I can't tell for sure.  In similar conditions, I try to put on more main sheet tension to act as a backstay.
 
Some additional questions I would love to hear your answers to if you are willing to share Mike:

1) Upper Tension
2) Wind Speed
3) Boat speed (planing continuously or off and on)
4) Did you hit a wave?
5) The mast wobbled big time right before it steadied out and then you broke it. What happened on the first wobble?

Thanks for helping us learn what not to do!

[Mark Allen]

Biggest cause of the masts breaking is a rig tension that is too soft for the conditions with the vang pulled on hard. The vang does a great job of flattening out the main upwind but puts way too much side force on the rig with all the pressure form the spin at the top trying to shove the middle of the mast out of column. Always release the vang before turning downwind.

Forte should be keeping a spare on the shelf for the class. We need to try and find out why it's not there. We have already paid for it and the new order should generate a new mast being built.

Mark
#26 JUNTA

[Travis Gregory]

In case anyone reads this in the future.  Mark and I were sailing with the SF bay boats last weekend.  It sounds like other owners have tried to get new aluminum rigs without success. They all have Forte's now!

There is one owner with an aluminum rig who is willing to sell for 4k.

[Jeff Glandon]

Who makes the high wind kit and what all does it include?

[Mike Myers (RWS)]

1. Forte is NOT keeping a spare on hand, and we should ask for our deposit back.
2. Forte is not awesome as far as quality control, but they are the only game in town right now. If you buy a rig from them, double check everything, especially spreaders, before stepping it.
3. Bayview Yacht club just bought 10 new Forte masts. They are replacing their aluminum rigs that are still in good shape. If you’re looking for an aluminum replacement, start there. Paul Hulsey at BYC is a good contact regarding U20 masts.

[Travis Gregory]

Interesting Mike. Thanks for the heads-up. 

What is the plan for the BYC aluminum masts?

Also, why change if the aluminum masts are still working?

Thanks

[Lighten Up 31]

I may have missed this but what ever happened with the C-Tech masts? Is it just too expensive to make and ship or where there other issues? Dam just curious and already have one of those masts from the original order with my boat.

[Mike Myers (RWS)]

Travis, it sounds like they’re selling their aluminum rigs once they have the carbons set up on their fleet.

Probably replacing due to risk/liability considering the high number of dismastings with the Ballengers

[Chris Chambers]

I talked to Keith Ziegler who is pretty sure we a have a mast at Forte - he is going to confirm (and Emily is looking at the checkbook to confirm).  He said Bayview has 12 new carbon sticks in hand and are swapping out the aluminum.  Says they needed 12 identical boats for certain regattas that the club is chasing to host.  The 11 aluminum mast will be avaliable - he is checking on the details from the club on when they will be available, cost, ect.  I am a proponent of the class grabbing those 11 masts for class members - how ever we can structure that....

[Chris Chambers]

Mast breaks right about here -

[Chris Chambers]

And for your viewing pleasure (or cold sweats waking up in the middle of the night)  SF Bay with a mast on the verge of collapse

[Travis Gregory]

  What a terrible picture! 

Chris, I agree that the class should grab some of the Bayview masts as potential future replacements for members/owners.