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When to replace a carbon fiber mast?
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smann



Joined: 06 Oct 2015
Posts: 18
Location: New Jersey Shore

PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 12:39 pm    Post subject: When to replace a carbon fiber mast? Reply with quote

I have a couple old masts that I still use going on 12 years, and I'm getting nervous about their stability.

I keep them both in bags and out of the sun when not in use.

Is there a way to tell when a mast is getting too old? or a life span that one should heed?

thanks

-=s
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Number-nine



Joined: 09 Aug 1989
Posts: 496
Location: cape cod

PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 1:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For me if they survive the first year they are proved. And good for 5years
then into reserve pile.
never had one for 12 years

The conditions and where you sail and how often all factors to consider

Side of waves and winter is a lot different than summer baffing
would not want to consider breaking a mast in the first
Would not even worry for the second
But that is for me

Also my experiance is newer sails are much better tune on new mast vs older
works the other way too old sails old masts seem to work better
Weird since masts have not change much in 10 years.
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dllee



Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 5328
Location: East Bay

PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 2:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As said, if they last the first week of sailing, they should last quite a while. Most of mine are over 15 years, doing just fine.
If you tend to crash, listen to the previous poster religiously. I tend to stay dry for weeks at a time, so old masts work peachy keen....for me.
If I sail the coast, it's skinny's for me. All bay sailing get old standard mast since I'm a surfer can can paddle hours at a time.
Nobody without an X ray machine can predict the life of carbon masts. The breakages usually occur months or years before, a slight impact causing a weak spot in the fiber strands, only to break years or weeks later.
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PeconicPuffin



Joined: 07 Jun 2004
Posts: 1830

PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 2:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

peterkimball wrote:


Side of waves and winter is a lot different than summer baffing
would not want to consider breaking a mast in the first
Would not even worry for the second
But that is for me

Agree completely. Waves, offshore winds, winter...I want newish carbon and uni. In summer I run the older stuff. Non-wave sailing I've kept masts up to eleven years, and then sold them cheap at the swapmeet.

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Michael
http://www.peconicpuffin.com
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smann



Joined: 06 Oct 2015
Posts: 18
Location: New Jersey Shore

PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cool thanks,

now that I've asked though, I've probably jinxed myself

(I'll still use this as an excuse to get some new masts)


thanks guys!

-=s
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RaceboardDude



Joined: 08 Dec 2010
Posts: 86

PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 5:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Photo of a 2004 Neil Pryde X5 (520) 85% carbon mast that unexpectedly broke a few days ago while cruising in 10-12KTS and flat water.

No pumping at the time and only light/moderate downhaul tension on a 9.8 Neil Pryde V8. Snapped cleanly right at the top cam above the boom and below the ferrule. That cam sits just above a minor wear spot left from another sail. Not a creak. Just a very loud snap and it was gone.

Mast appeared in good condition with minimal wear and fading. Never left rigged, stored indoors and in padded bag.

Sailed the exact same rig one time prior a few weeks ago. Powered up in about 15-20KTS and flat water. No indications of any pending failure. certainly not a thought that it could ever fail then or during that next lighter session.

Granted the X5 was 8 years old, it had what I would consider fairly light use and good care.

Swear I've had more N.P. mast failures in flat water than any other brand.


Last edited by RaceboardDude on Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:24 pm; edited 1 time in total
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PeconicPuffin wrote:
Waves, offshore winds, winter...I want newish carbon and uni.

Even in my small one-man sampling, I've had masts and hourglasses snap like toothpicks on their first sessi0on, on a lake. I think your "newISH" caveat is important; get infant mortality out of the picture first in risky conditions.[/i]
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rigitrite



Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 520
Location: Kansas City

PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 9:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use PowerEx carbon RDM's. I have three of em. Bought the first one in 1992, so it's 20 years old, the last one I bought used in 1996 (It's probably a 93' model). They all work great, no plans to replace any of them, and I sail 20-60 days/year depending on how crappy the wind is in the midwest. Hard to break a skinny.
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RaceboardDude



Joined: 08 Dec 2010
Posts: 86

PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Now might be a good time...


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inlandsea



Joined: 29 Sep 1996
Posts: 174

PostPosted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smann,

Or you could call your brother who owns a windsurfing shop and he can take care of you!

Pmann
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