Carbon Fibre Masts
Sailing yacht Idea has a high modulus carbon mast with a three spreader “millennium” configuration. The only mast in the world using this system apart from the 2003/ 2007 America’s cup sloops. Idea won the maxi worlds championships twice in Porto Cervo. Max compression on the mast tube at 25° heel is 74 tons. Tube weight 364kg.
Aluminium Masts
At 12000kg per metre per degree the Ron Holland / Castro ketch is probably the stiffest 40 metre yacht in the world. High stiffness means high loads.
The mastjack load on Twirlybird is 250 tons. The compression load on the mast at 18 knots true upwind is nearly 400 tons.
The aluminium tubes features an innovative web structure to keep it light and strong. The all up weight of the main mast including standing rigging is 5880kg and therefore it is at the same level as todays carbon masts .
Glass Fibre Mast
'French Kiss' has the only prepreg glass fibre mast ever installed on a 12 metre class racing yacht. The 27 metre long tube is stronger and 100kgs lighter than an aluminium mast with a very similar stiffness as 7000 series aluminium. Mast compression at 30 degree heel in excess of 45 tonnes. The glass fibre mast has no corrosion problems in salt water and is much more resistant to buckling compared to aluminium.
