Carbon mast versus alu mast (no biggy)
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<br>Carbon mast IS allowed under IF20 and Hobie decided that alu was better for their design. Personally I don't expect any performance difference between Carbon I-20 and Alu Fox mast. Both are prismatis sections. Real benefits come from non prismatic carbon masts. Picthing is not really a problem on a 20 foot boat no matter what kind of mast. And Can any of you quantify the benefits of the carbon mast ? I think not.If you do some Research you will find that A-cat name the following two points as benefit to carbon.
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<br>- Better trimming
<br>- Less weight up high
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<br>For the first to become effect you first need to learn to trim properly or even really well. How many of you do That ?
<br>The second is of minor importance on 20 foot designs. Is alu much lighter ? Example T4.9 alu blank is 13,5 kg, T4.9 carbon blank = 9,5 kg's, not that mush is it ?
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<br>Drawback of carbon.
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<br>- Less flexible than alu, more difficult to depower
<br>- Smaller sailshape control span
<br>- expensive
<br>- Needs more care.
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<br>I say PC and Hobie made different choice based on the pro and cons given and I wouldn't go as far as to say the PC carbon is a better choice. This despite the fact that carbon is a better choice in A-cats, but there te carbo mast are non prismatic and non constant in layup. I very much doubt wether PC carbon masts are.
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<br>Hobie and Nacra battle it out here, What more reasurrence do you want for equality between these two designs.
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<br>Please correct me when I'm wrong
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<br>Wouter<br><br>