Sport Today

I am an intermediate and have been driving to the Gorge to sail
there once a month in the last couple of years, always on rental
eauipment. I am considering taking advantage of the end of season
sales and getting some high wind gear for myself. I've been
offered a  very good price on a used Fiberspar 2 piece carbon mast.
I've always used a 2 pc mast for my local light wind sailing but
is a 2 pc mast recommended for high wind sailing as in the Gorge ?
2 Pc mast is easier for me to carry to the Gorge as I do not
have a big car but can it withstand Gorge conditions. Or does
anybody use a 2 pc mast in the Gorge as I don't seem to notice a lot
of them. Pls adv. Thanks. Raymond.

"I've always used a 2 pc mast for my local light wind sailing but
is a 2 pc mast recommended for high wind sailing as in the Gorge ?"

All I have is two pc carbon masts..I sail crissy, Wadell, Rio, the gorge,
and have travelled around the world with my 4 two pc masts.  dont
worry..buy  'em.

I've watched 3 two piece carbon masts break near the ferril (none of
them mine) .  They were all Fiberspars (or sombody elses name on a
Fiberspar mast).  The one I watched break in the gorge lasted about
half an hour from brand new.

I'm not buying any carbon fiber masts for a while.

Craig

8'10" Bailey jump, 9'9" Sailboards Maui
Wt 160#, Ht 6'3", Usually sail on high desert lakes near SLC in Ut
Go short or go home

Me too. I have 2 No Limits Gorge Carbons. I've used them in the Gorge
the Oregon Coast, Hatteras, and the Mid Atlantic coast with NO failures.

One is 3 years old and spent an entire summer in the gorge with me. The
other is 1 year old. The 3 year old mast has seen tons of board time -
all bump and jump and wave sailing. Note that these masts aren't technically
spec'd for surf but I've had no failures. I must admit that I don't get
worked that often either and have never gotten slammed in shore break which
will prolly claim any mast. The 3 year old is a bit worn now and I don't
trust it too well anymore but I feel I've gotten good service from it.

I think a lot of 2 piece breaks occur when they are not fully joined or
when the user gets spanked in shore break.

Under what conditions did they break? shore break? slams? Just curious.
I spoke with Steve of No Limits and he leaned toward 1 piecers for surf.
I don't think he makes a 2 piece surf mast.

thats my bead on it,

Steve Sabia

PS We had an awesome 4.5 session at Assateage this weekend with 3-5 foot
   surf and all the mates out. UNREAL for mid august!

  Try a Dynafiber mast sometime. They build their masts with
 no sleeve in them. They neck down the bottom section while
 winding the carbon fiber on the mandrel. Then they add a small
 stop to the bottom section to seat the upper section.
 This results in a joint on the mast that is stronger than the rest
 of the mast and has the added benefit of minimizing flex abberations.

  I've had 2 Dyna's for 2 years now and sailed them in some hard
 wind while still learning high wind sailing ( read-lots of slams 8^] )
 and haven't had a bit of trouble. I'd rather fight than switch!
 Seriously, the lighter weight, greater responsiveness recovery AND
 durability will have me going back to Dynafibers forever.

                But, have it your way.
                                        Mr Finhead.