This looks great. Simple and easy....



With the comments and weights currently being discussed it would only require 200gms to be added to the Stealth mast to make it compliant under the 7.4kg tip weight being proposed.



200gms is pretty easy to add structurally for Stealth to the tip when a new batch of masts are built by just increasing the reinforcing that is used for the halyard lock. (Think JC had 7.5kgd which is what we think the Average is of the AHPC Alloy mast)



That would not cause any safety issues and would be able to be concealed in the old masts easily within or as part of the plug.



It would stop, which is the purpose of the rule, "New" / one off manufactures developing lighter mast that would be a greater performance advantage and then super seed the current masts. Hence greater cost to the class and the durability issue. It's the extreme we are proposing to penalise and stop, not current designs and mast manufacturers.



We all want to see development and that is enabled but it ensures three things. Money can't buy speed, the current boats, Stealth and Taipan will not be obsolete quickly and the carbon mast can be maintained at a weight that ensures durability and insurance / breakages can be limited.



The Tornado has used the tip weight for many years and very successfully. Most masts used to carry between 300 - 400 gms. That was seen as optimal. It stopped the class trying to develop lighter mast that would be fragile in the search of reducing rig weight.



It ensured people had the flexibility to develop mast bends and profiles that suited there weight however ensured weight performance issues were maintained across the class. And therefore it was not beneficial to develop fragile/ light masts just for weight reduction.



Rule as proposed by JC.

With the mast in a horizontal position, supported at the bottom end of the

extrusion and at the bottom edge of the top measurement band, the weight

measured at the top band shall be not less than ??7.5kgs. (Proposed to be

an average of 100gms lighter than the current AHPC mast (15 mast to be

measured))



The mast shall be weighted in the following condition;



1. Running rigging and normally attached diamond rigging shall remain

attached to the mast.

2. Shrouds, forestay and trapeze wires and their shackles shall be removed

from the mast.

3. Halyards shall be fully hoisted and their tails coiled and attached to

the mast heel.

4. Sail attachment fittings shall be placed in there normal hoisted sailing

position.