When we started back in 2001 I remember some of us (incl. myself) being a bit anxious about the superwing mast. We weren't really sure on how she would stand up under spinnaker loads or the generally larger loads an F16 sees compared to a Taipan 4.9. Afterall, the F16's are wider and were intended for a little more crew weight. Not to forget that the larger squaretops would require higher leech loads (sheet loads); it all adds up.

After having kept an eye on the mast for the last 8 years I can say that she has stood up marvelously under any and all abuse (Alter Cup 2007 ?) that we have put her through. I don't think we have broken a single mast yet while sailing under the F16 specs. I know of only 3 masts were damaged/broken with two of these while handling her on the beach and dropping her and the third when putting a F18 size spinnaker (reaching almost to the mast head) and accidently letting the traveller go while being double trapped. I don't count these cases as no F16 mast can be designed to be strong enough to guarantee surviving under that. Doing so would then also mean sailing with a telegraph pole.

Yeah, I think the superwing mast to be one of the great miracles of the F16 class. Without her the class would not have been were it is now. And I feel she will stay with us for quite a while longer.

Wouter