I've got a 460/25 mast and want to use it on a second sail specifically asking for 490/29 (8.0 sail). To save me buying another mast what problems would I encounter if I fitted a mast extender to give me that extra 30cm? I'll be using it on a long mast extension, full length of tube approx 50cm.
Alternatively I can raise the extension's collar, but what is the acceptable safe limit of tube inside the mast till I have "load bearing" problems and crack the bottom of the mast?
Luff length of sail is 508cm max. Any other information I should provide? Any other work arounds to this problem?
You sound like me..
Dunno if it will be okay or not. I rig a North Warp 7.8m 2006 model on 460 mast. I think the luff is a bit over 5 meters. The sail's recommended mast is 460cm so its okay.
Perhaps it all depends on your mast extension.
It also sucks living in NSW where the lack of wind forces you to consider bigger and bigger sails.
You sound like me..
You sound like me..
Yeah saw your vid and it got me thinking KAs and low and behold one came up. This sail also has to work with the vintage epoxy slalom that I've restored and keen to try out.
As an addendum, I stumbled across an alloy mast extender in my old 80s windsurfing box of bits. Totally forgot about it, its around 56cm..just have to get to it with a hacksaw to fit. It'll do the job nicely...a wee bit heavy but it'll lift the 460 to 490 and I'll see if the softness of the set-up bothers me. I might not even notice any difference.
You might be better off using a tip-extender - extending at the base can result putting the boom connection outside of the reinforced area. A tip-extender is often a better choice. Or you could do half-base, half-tip.
I made my own extender out of a broken section of mast. I use an RDM 460 mast & add the 40cm extender to the base to make a 500 mast. I can now use my 8.5 sqm sail on the 460 mast. When making the extender I added some extra layers of carbon to make it very strong but it is quite heavy compared to a long alloy extension. At least I am confident that it won't break (or bend like an alloy extension). I have no problems with mast cut out - many sails now are designed for a softer mast & use long extensions of 25 cm plus. My sail (Loft Switchblade - luff 501cm max wind) seems to rig Ok on the softer 460 mast but it is something you must consider. If you can borrow a long extension & see how your sail rigs before going to the trouble of making one. Norths do sell extenders to suit normal diameter masts.
Select to expand quotenosinkanow said...
Hey Gestalt, I thought you would have liked my choice in sail. Yeah saw your vid and it got me thinking KAs and low and behold one came up. This sail also has to work with the vintage epoxy slalom that I've restored and keen to try out.
if you need any rigging tips just drop me a PM.
