Hi Tami,

The "Comptip" mast is more flexible at the tip then a all-aluminum mast. Also you have the dis-continuity in the mast and you can snap the comptip off at that joint.

Most of us that have sailed the TheMightyHobie18 w/ both the comptip and all-aluminum mast feel/know the all-aluminum mast is a "faster" mast. (I do have a spare all-aluminum mast stored in the backyard and would LOVE to race with it) When the wind gets above 8-10knots the comptip flex off and starts to spill air through the mainsail's leach. Especially if you have enough wieght to hold the boat flat in +12knots of breeze.

Note that w/ my P19MX a puff will make you fly a hull ... a stiffer mast ... 8X1 mainsheet stack ... and Randy's design/construction w/ a leech that is almost impossible to "Hook" means I'm "standing" the leech up w/ alot of mainsheet tension ... generally I have to ease the mainsheet slightly (2-6")in a puff to twist off the squaretop.

Note: I was sailing the P19MX w/ my (then) 10yr old niece (the TheMightyHobie18 had been for years and was still in pieces behind the shed) .... we were double trapped on the first beat when we got hit w/ a big puff/microburst .... the P19MX was way up on one hull in a blink of an eye .... Megan was LAUNCHED (an I do mean launched!!!) head first into the mast ..... BOOOONNNNGGGG .... then bounced off into the jib .... how I saved the boat from flipping I still do not know I did it, but I was lucky I guess, because the boat should have flipped. So I dumped the mainsail completely and the boat settled back down ... I managed to grab Megan and hoist her onto the tramp. That was a September race and ended our season ... next year/spring I dug the TheMightyHobie18 out from behind the shed and re-assembled her ...

We had been talking about sailing w/ kids the night before w/ the race organizers .... when my boat leveled back down I had a mark/chase boat already beside me, hailing me to render assistence. The PRO/RC had seen us pop up and had watched Megan bounce off the mast .... and wasted no time in coming to our aid.

Megan's now 14yrs old .... and wants to race the P19MX this year ... tough kid. I love my P19MX but I will pick my P19MX days and venues w/ her carefully ....

Harry