Re: discount carbon fiber masts and spars - vibe
> They told me at the factory that vibration is a killer for carbonsupported
> fiber and that if you transport a carbon mast it should be
> in more that two places. They also said a mast bag would be a goodInteresting, might be a further argument for the damping effects of
> investment as it also stops vibration.
>
wood/carbon.
> Vacuum bagging a thirty foot mast and oven curing it is beyondmost
> home builders potential.I agree with your main points, but oven curing isn't necesary, and
vacuum bagging is a breeze.
I purchased a discount carbon mast for my catamaran from Omohundro
CO. of Minden, Nevada. They sometimes have seconds that they sell at
a considerable discount because of blemishes. They have now been
combined(bought)with North Sails but they are still in Minden, Nevada.
My mast is still going strong and I really push my Catamaran. It
still looks much better than the home made carbon masts I have seen.
Shipping was going to be a killer so I picked up all 30' myself with
my boat trailer.
They told me at the factory that vibration is a killer for carbon
fiber and that if you transport a carbon mast it should be supported
in more that two places. They also said a mast bag would be a good
investment as it also stops vibration.
My aluminum mast weight was about 75 lbs, the carbon unit is much
stronger and weighs about 26 lbs. The performance difference was very
noticeable and it smoothed the ride out in choppy conditions because
it lowered the center of gravity stopping completely the fore and aft
pitching it had with the aluminum unit.
Vacuum bagging a thirty foot mast and oven curing it is beyond most
home builders potential. As much as I now sail my catamaran(back
surgery), I can say even at a discount I wasted a lot of money. So
beware, the performance gain of carbon may not be worth the wallet
drain.
John
CO. of Minden, Nevada. They sometimes have seconds that they sell at
a considerable discount because of blemishes. They have now been
combined(bought)with North Sails but they are still in Minden, Nevada.
My mast is still going strong and I really push my Catamaran. It
still looks much better than the home made carbon masts I have seen.
Shipping was going to be a killer so I picked up all 30' myself with
my boat trailer.
They told me at the factory that vibration is a killer for carbon
fiber and that if you transport a carbon mast it should be supported
in more that two places. They also said a mast bag would be a good
investment as it also stops vibration.
My aluminum mast weight was about 75 lbs, the carbon unit is much
stronger and weighs about 26 lbs. The performance difference was very
noticeable and it smoothed the ride out in choppy conditions because
it lowered the center of gravity stopping completely the fore and aft
pitching it had with the aluminum unit.
Vacuum bagging a thirty foot mast and oven curing it is beyond most
home builders potential. As much as I now sail my catamaran(back
surgery), I can say even at a discount I wasted a lot of money. So
beware, the performance gain of carbon may not be worth the wallet
drain.
John