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Old 10-18-2007
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Free Standing Rigs

Okay, me first! Can you technical wizards help me. I am trying to evaluate the carbon fiber, free standing rigs popular on several brands of boats. I am interested in both the cat ketch and the cat sloop rigs. Questions:

1) Are the spars first produced in the '80s still holding up?
2) From what we know, will they have the same expected life as the aluminum?
3) Are there particular performance trade-offs for these rigs? (up-wind degradation in a cat is understood)
4) Does a self tending jib sacrifice upwind performance?

Thanks for your help.

Freeman
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