Quote:
Originally Posted by Giulietta
On a larger boat, sailing in stronger winds, where the stiffness of the mast will have to be higher, since there are no shrouds? Is mast tech and materials up to par for such an application?? I don't think it is yet...what thickness and weight would it be??
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I don't understand why an un-stayed mast can't work on a larger boat concerned with weight and speed. Bruce Schwabb sailed in the last Vendee Globe race with a huge, fast boat with an un-stayed carbon fiber mast.
I would think the goose-neck would be the weak link since having the sail off-center creates a lever arm for the forces on the mast down low. Also, if your sail is far off center doesn't that put your forward thrust further off-center and add to the turning force of the boat, making it more out of balance?