TheoA,
The Nacra 6.0NA mast fully rigged is not $3,000...it's $895 according to Performance Cat's online 2001 pricing guide! Not too bad IMHO!
Crack,
I had some of my fellow engineers double check me and they agree that having less spreader rake actually significantly increased the compression force directly inward on the luff track of the mast. I hate to say it but this lack of rake likely caused more direct compression at the luff groove of the mast which led to the failure. The compression forces on the luff actually decrease greatly (up to a certain point) with additional sweep in the spreaders. I'll be glad to put together some drawings to further the discussion if you like.
What was the reason you had to replace the previous mast?
