Mast Design and Materials

In the previous post we looked at how aluminium masts break and corrode.  This post examines how new carbon composite materials have allowed better approaches to the design of two piece masts.

Here is a Laser mast and an Aero mast. The 1970 aluminium technology has the top section sliding inside the bottom section with plastic sleeves to control the fit.  The plastic sleeves are attached with rivets. Top sections eventually break at the rivet and need to be replaced or "end to ended" each year.  The masts become bent in strong winds and when super vanged, especially radial masts.

The plastic sleeves have to be individually fitted, that is with sand paper, as new the extruded aluminium sections are all slightly different sizes and often do not fit at all. The weight and stiffness of the Laser top sections vary.  The heavier and stiffer sections bend less and are favoured by top sailors.  The lighter bendier masts are sold to inexperienced Laser sailors.

The Aero's composite carbon mast is lighter and stronger, it fits together perfectly and automatically aligns the sail track.

The stainless steel Laser fitting is riveted to the front of the mast with six rivets.  The Aero carbon composite goose neck is larger and  robust wrapping around the mast with no possibility of bimetallic corrosion.

Aero's robust carbon composite goose neck

Outdated Aluminum Spars Break

broken spars pile up in Laser clubs

Sydney recently experienced one of its frequent weather events an east coast low pressure system, throwing 20 gusting 30 knots at the harbour.  Of the 20 Lasers that ventured out that day on Middle Harbour, two were towed home with broken bottom sections.

This is typical for club sailors. Spars become unreliable after about three years depending on use.  The elite sailors replace their spars, indeed their boats every year which club sailors cannot afford to.

The problem has been exacerbated by the modern approach to Laser racing in strong winds.  The story goes that on his way to the top, Tom Slingsby obtained funding for a stack of sails and decided to test their limits by super tensioning the cunningham and vang in strong winds. It worked well, the boat became more manageable and the technique became standard practice.

typical corrosion at a stress point

Unfortunately the 1970's designed aluminium sections are not up to the task and with the increased stresses they break.  Only recently has a carbon top section been introduced but the class is still stuck with outdated aluminium bottom sections and booms.

Metal fatigue is not the only problem.  Laser spars corrode, especially in salt water.  There are two kinds of metal are in contact with the aluminium in the form of the rivets and the fittings.  New bottom sections and booms start to show signs of bimetallic corrosion within months of purchase with tell tale corrosion grooves fanning out from stress points.

The super vang approach is also tough on other fittings which are now not reliable either.  Vang tangs break as does the bolt holding the goose neck.

The Laser class seems unable to adapt to these problems. It is not only a cost issue, it puts extra responsibility on club race management and makes the boat unsafe in strong winds.

RS Aero Fleets Starting Now In Sydney

RS Aeros are coming to Balmoral SC

Marine Protected Areas

This illustrated guide makes marine protected areas fascinating

Sydney Marine Park

The waters around Sydney are world renowned for their natural beauty, serving to draw millions of tourists to the city and supporting a multitude of industries. For over 200 years our state has benefited from the riches our marine environment provides. But decades of overfishing and pollution have caused fish populations to plummet, and even led to the extinction of some species.

Despite this, Sydney Harbour is still home to over 600 species of fish; more than the United Kingdom or the whole of the Mediterranean Sea. Iconic species, such as Green Sea Turtles, Fairy Penguins, Weedy Sea Dragons and Humpback Whales all grace our waters. Not only is Sydney Harbour listed as one of just 16 national landscape icons, it already has areas of land protected as national park. All that is missing is protection of our fragile and unique marine environment. Our government can ensure this happens by declaring a new marine park for Sydney. Together we can preserve our iconic waters for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future. Click here to show your support for a Sydney Marine Park today!

Aero Club Fleet Pricing

I wonder if this deal will be offered here in Sydney!

RS Aero Reviewed by Yachting World

'A review of the RS Aero by Matthew Sheahan.