Quick Carbon Mast Question

Matt Sole · March 11, 2011, 12:24:27 AM

I think this is a situation where the class is a victim of its own success.

Not much over months ago, we were getting excited about selling 20 boats per year. No one was really making much money out of this class and had to give a lot of focus on other projects.
When a mast builder was sourced, the big purchase was a group purchase of around ten masts to get the older boats up to speed. I think everyone was caught on the hop by the recent success of the class and that has turned into production issues. In the last 3 years around 50 masts have been supplied. Now its looking like 50 per year are needed. If not more.
No matter what business you are in, such a sudden ramp up in production will lead to wrinkles in supply and demand.

I have supported Rondar as the builder and believe they for now should be the sole builder, none of this US builder crap. I also will support Super Spars as I like the product and the price. I am willing to let them have a dam big bite second bite of the cherry they helped grow.

Drew Harper · March 11, 2011, 04:26:48 PM

No worries Michael. Growing pains for a popular class. I don't think anyone thought the West coast would sell on par with the East Coast this year. We are trucking and will work hard to keep our momentum.

Another container just left the plant yesterday bound for SF....woohooo!

Very pretty Yellow boat is on it too. I like this one!

Please email Zim and cc Young on it so they can arrange to hook you up with 73's mast.

Hope your new main is blisteringly fast!

Scott Ellis · March 13, 2011, 11:25:28 AM

Quote from: Drew Harper on March 11, 2011, 04:26:48 PM
No worries Michael. Growing pains for a popular class. I don't think anyone thought the West coast would sell on par with the East Coast this year. We are trucking and will work hard to keep our momentum.

Another container just left the plant yesterday bound for SF....woohooo!

Very pretty Yellow boat is on it too. I like this one!

Please email Zim and cc Young on it so they can arrange to hook you up with 73's mast.

Hope your new main is blisteringly fast!

Any chance you also have a picture of a red boat that will be in the same containiner?!

-Scott

Drew Harper · March 13, 2011, 01:32:50 PM

Quote from: Scott Ellis on March 13, 2011, 11:25:28 AM
Quote from: Drew Harper on March 11, 2011, 04:26:48 PM
No worries Michael. Growing pains for a popular class. I don't think anyone thought the West coast would sell on par with the East Coast this year. We are trucking and will work hard to keep our momentum.

Another container just left the plant yesterday bound for SF....woohooo!

Very pretty Yellow boat is on it too. I like this one!

Please email Zim and cc Young on it so they can arrange to hook you up with 73's mast.

Hope your new main is blisteringly fast!

Any chance you also have a picture of a red boat that will be in the same containiner?!

-Scott

I don't Scott. I'll ping Claire. She has a hard time taking shots these days...just had to relocate to Istanbul as her hubby was transferred with BP. She's doing the paperwork from afar but still at it.

Scott Ellis · March 13, 2011, 05:06:20 PM

Speaking of masts - I'm going to dry sail my boat all summer up in the PNW and leave the mast up in the storage yard. I read an article by Christian Jensen in the repairs and fixes section on the home page about the UV prohibitors in the clear coat on the masts from superspars, but I'm really toying with the idea of painting it white with awl grip. Anyone done this beofore? Am I being too paranoid?

-Scott

Steve Conger · March 14, 2011, 08:45:37 AM

Quote from: Drew Harper on March 08, 2011, 02:09:53 PM
Awlgrip 'Fleet White' is a good one. They've had it in production for quite awhile should it ever need touch up.

There's an easier 'user applied' paint called Perfection that works will too, though I find it not nearly as effective as Awlgrip.

some others have painted their mast for the same reason, i am also considering the idea of painting mine when i get my new mast. if you do paint yours please tell us how it goes.

Ben Steinberg · March 14, 2011, 10:02:17 AM

I sprayed clear awlgrip on mine. Pretty easy. It can also be brushed.

Christian Jensen · March 24, 2011, 01:46:31 PM

Quote from: Scott Ellis on March 13, 2011, 05:06:20 PM
Speaking of masts - I'm going to dry sail my boat all summer up in the PNW and leave the mast up in the storage yard. I read an article by Christian Jensen in the repairs and fixes section on the home page about the UV prohibitors in the clear coat on the masts from superspars, but I'm really toying with the idea of painting it white with awl grip. Anyone done this beofore? Am I being too paranoid?

-Scott

White or a light colored Awlgrip is the best thing you can do for your mast - keeps it cool and protected from both UV and scratches.

But - you are in the PNW - the sun don't shine there so why worry about UV?????

Greg Jackson · May 21, 2011, 12:29:15 AM

Okay,

My 3 1/2 year old mast is starting to have problems. The track is delaminating. Ideas to fix?

I'm getting her ready for LBYW...

Ben Steinberg · May 21, 2011, 08:27:00 AM

Greg, you need to get all the old crappy adhesive out from behind it and then get new plexus behind it. It might be easiest to just take the whole section off clean it up and glue it back on. Use lots of tape to hold it in alignment. Plexus comes in a few different varieties, get one that has a long "open" time so it doesnt cure before you are done.

Glenn Vanheel · May 21, 2011, 12:31:49 PM

Quote from: Greg Jackson on May 21, 2011, 12:29:15 AM
Okay,

My 3 1/2 year old mast is starting to have problems. The track is delaminating. Ideas to fix?

I'm getting her ready for LBYW...
[/quot. Greg,
It's not like you race every weekend. 3 1/2 yrs is not very durable! Are the newer mast better quality? Plunking down 3-4 grand for something that has a short useful lifespan is hard to justify.

Greg Jackson · May 21, 2011, 05:58:33 PM

Glenn,

I do not race every weekend, but I do sail pretty much every other weekend and I do leave my mast exposed during 120 degree days in the summer...

HIJACK - I saw on facebook that you did the hydro-turf. Did you remove your hardware or cut around it?

Greg