new mast or old mast ?

[Guest]

How can I tell if we are sailing with a new or old mast on #458 ?
Would you please either register on the site or leave an active email in your post. Thank you. Site Admin.

[Tom Elsen]

At one time, there may have been something to the new mast / old mast story. I believe that is long since a dead issue.

The real question is "How does your mast set up and sail?". There is clearly a range here, from 0" of pre-bend to more than 2" pre-bend.

The way to determine this is to set up your boat. Measure your forestay so that it's an inch or so short of class maximum. Then make certain that the mast is centered (that is the mast tip is perfectly centered). Dial in a medium air setting on the outers, about 26 on a standard Loos gauge. Set the inners to about 20, taking special care to pull any side-to-side curve out of the mast. Sail the boat a couple of times and recheck everything. Then, using your mainsheet pulled tight to the mast track at the gooseneck, figure how much pre-bend your mast carries.

If you can edit your post above, please include an active email in it, or post a reply with one. Thanks.

[Smitty]

Tom,

Can you take your shoes off and run across that one more time? I lost you with the mainsheet at the goose neck. Thanks!

Smitty
Would you please either register on the site or leave an active email in your post. Thank you. Site Admin.