On the point of “impact” and “durability”, after much “experimentation” we have an internal laminate of 300gm/sqm Kevlar twill added in the lay up of our carbon masts from a point approx 450mm above the hound position to a point approx 1.5 metres below the hound position. This is the area “of greatest stress” when a mast is impacted when “ditched” hard and suddenly. Carbon masts that have failed in the past under these conditions have usually failed approximately 600 to 800mm below their hounds. They haven’t failed through any compression loads at that time, but if the fracture is inspected, it is found that the laminates have failed on the “tension” side of the mast (carbon is very strong under compression, not so much under tension). They have literally been “pulled apart”. By adding Kevlar (extremely strong under tension) to the mast over this area we have found that breaking a carbon mast, even under the most extreme “pitch pole” situation, just doesn’t happen.
Still when its all boiled down, “time will tell” and I personally feel that in a relatively few years when all these questions are fully answered, and the availability and price of carbon are not an issue, we will see as many boats with aluminium then as we do with timber now.