Hey Waterbug,

Thanks for your support. By the way, I have seen one crumble. No wait, I rather heard one " POP." Well, that is what I can remember it sounding like when I broke my mast. (I was in mid-air 1/2 way through a pitchpole. When I came to the surface the boat was upside down turtled pointing back the other way. 2' of mast and sail was bobbing above the waves. Not a pretty site! and of course, there was rigging and line everywhere.)

I had the main sheet really loose. It was may first year on a spinnaker boat; first carbon mast. It was a gust of approximately 25+ knots (maybe more) from the edge of a storm that I was riding home. The ride was good until I got that gust. Knowing what I know now though, my mast was probably binding like a batten the hole time before the break in those winds without support.

By the way, I have had my main sheet come loose in 18 - 20 knots before and didn't break the mast.( wind was rather steady)

Tom