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Masts With Ian Pinnell ALL RELATED BOOKS

Masts With Ian Pinnell

Book Extract

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MAST

The first decision is carbon or aluminium. If the class rules allow, go for carbon every time. These masts have a smaller section, are lighter and recover from big loadings (e.g. hitting the bottom in a capsize) better than their metal counterparts.

Unfortunately, carbon spars cost 2-3 times more and don’t like having holes drilled in them. 

Next choose your mast manufacturer, if necessary in conjunction with your sailmaker. There may be a number of sections to choose from: go for the one that best suits your crew weight by asking the mast supplier.

Aluminium (left) and carbon (right) cross sections

 

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Tuning to Win is written by multiple champion, sailmaker and chandler Ian Pinnell.

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