Quick Carbon Mast Question

Warren Richter · February 16, 2011, 05:50:04 PM

Hi Everyone,

Please help me out, I am a newbie just trying to learn a bit more about the viper as I am looking to move into one in the future, but am confused about a few things. I think I may have received some bad information along the way.

Is the Carbon mast one continuous piece or is it in multiple pieces to facilitate easier transport. This question came up because I thought it was a one piece tube, but have heard from several places that it is able to be disassembled into 2 or 3 pieces.

Please set me straight. Thanks in advance for the help.

Cheers,
Warren

Matt Sole · February 16, 2011, 05:57:20 PM

The carbon mast is made of three pieces. Two sections of straight tube and a tapered top piece.

The top pice comes permanently glued on so in all reality the mast comes as two pieces.
The earlier carbon Viper masts were glued together on initial set up as this was thought necessarry. Now the two pieces are held together with a set screw for easier transportation if needed. No glue required.

Olaf Bleck · February 16, 2011, 06:52:42 PM

Also, when putting the two halves of the mast together, it's important to make sure the halyards aren't twisted internally.

Basically the two halves fit together like a Laser mast.

Lee Shuckerow · February 17, 2011, 12:18:15 PM

Quote from: Warren Richter on February 16, 2011, 05:50:04 PM
Hi Everyone,

Please help me out, I am a newbie just trying to learn a bit more about the viper as I am looking to move into one in the future, but am confused about a few things. I think I may have received some bad information along the way.

Is the Carbon mast one continuous piece or is it in multiple pieces to facilitate easier transport. This question came up because I thought it was a one piece tube, but have heard from several places that it is able to be disassembled into 2 or 3 pieces.

Please set me straight. Thanks in advance for the help.

Cheers,
Warren

I strongly recommend permanently putting the two mast sections together so in reality most people have masts permanently in one piece.

Olaf Bleck · February 17, 2011, 01:18:24 PM

Quote from: Lee Shuckerow on February 17, 2011, 12:18:15 PM

I strongly recommend permanently putting the two mast sections together so in reality most people have masts permanently in one piece.

Lee,

As someone who just got a mast and hasn't glued it yet, what's the reason for your recommendation?

Reason not to glue is of course ease of transport (inside of the boat under the cover). Reason to glue is to avoid halyard twists. I can handle the twists, and the transport issue is a real convenience when it comes to road wear and tear and to a lesser extent safety.

What else what might be of concern?

Cheers

Justin Scott · February 17, 2011, 08:40:33 PM

My first mast (upgrading an older boat to carbon) came glued. My next mast (on a new Rondar boat) came unglued (a bit like me).

I find the glued combo better.

(1) Easier and quicker for travel. Drop mast, put it on mast racks on my tie down bar and trailer. Depart! - No fooling around separating the two halves, careful with the halyards and trying to lash down in the boat. Personal preference but I find it easier to travel with mast in one piece. I LOVE the mast cover that Rondar supplies. I'm not a big fan of their other covers but the mast cover is the biz.

(2) Some say that glued mast is a bit sturdier. No risk of movement when under inflection.....not sure about that.

Advantage of unglued mast is that it is easier to store in the off season. It takes a big part of my garage.

Drew Harper · February 17, 2011, 09:26:17 PM

I use the mast in two pieces. I think it beats the crap out of the mast to have it bounce for thousands of miles and it sure costs me $$ on mileage.

I separate the mast into two halves, put it into the mast cover ( I agree with Justin...this is da BOMB) and tie it into the boat. Travels very easy.

There's no performance increase on a one-piece mast. Just ask the RC44 guys :-)).

Matt Sole · February 18, 2011, 12:10:48 AM

I can see no reason to glue the two halves. The mast is designed with the scarf section in it so there should not be any issue with the bend characteristics. What other reason is there to glue it?

Brad Boston · February 18, 2011, 08:52:14 AM

When we broke our mast last year we were told that it was partially because it was not glued. So when we got the new one we glued it like we were told to. I still feel that it was a spreader breakdown but what do I know....
Brad

Lee Shuckerow · February 18, 2011, 11:13:02 AM

Quote from: Brad Boston on February 18, 2011, 08:52:14 AM
When we broke our mast last year we were told that it was partially because it was not glued. So when we got the new one we glued it like we were told to. I still feel that it was a spreader breakdown but what do I know....
Brad

I also believe the spreader broke as well. And the way the mast top section split like a zipper on the front it is very clear to me being glued would have made that whole section quite a bit stronger.i have put in several requests for information about it but had no reply so we glued the mast when we got it. i didn't really want to get into it in this forum so we could move the discussion if we want. I had some other questions about the mast warranty as well.

Drew Harper · February 18, 2011, 01:29:48 PM

I was less than clear on my previous post. While I don't believe there is a performance increase in gluing, there is certainly an increase in durability. Just makes it bomber.

I'll still keep mine in two pieces though as I travel so much that it just makes sense to me. Everything's a compromise.

Matt Sole · February 18, 2011, 08:35:37 PM

Who told you guys that it was partly to do with not being glued? I really question whether gluing make it more durable or creates a hard spot in the bend of the rig. Was the rig designed to be sailed glued or unglued. That is the question.
Only one answer to that and it needs to be a Super Spar answer not what Rondar thinks.

Justin Scott · February 19, 2011, 03:13:34 PM

Glued mast + Crew Unglued = We are the Mambo Kings!

Dont think it matters with the mast and cant seem to do much about the crew.

Jeff Jones · February 19, 2011, 03:51:37 PM

As long as your track stays on.... We had to fix another this weekend.

Brian Barmmer · March 01, 2011, 02:45:30 PM

Figured this is a good a thread as any.

I just acquired #92. It has a carbon mast and appears for have been glued together.
however I don't have a mast bag for it. Any recommendations?

http://www.apsltd.com/c-6094-viper-640-boat-covers-mast-bags.aspx

There is two flavors here - Sounds like the carbon one is for use with an unglued mast.
Can I use the Aluminum version for a glued Carbon mast?

Brian