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Post by New Boy on Jun 13, 2008 8:07:36 GMT
Hi I am now the Happy owner of a full Carbon rig from Super Spars. Testing will be starting soon and will mostly be done at Tropical Frampton. There will be reports posted here from time to time on all aspects of the mast and also the Rowsell sail that has been cut to fit it. Once testing has started I will be better placed to answer any Question you may have. New Boy  |
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Post by BMBA Admin on Jun 13, 2008 11:58:49 GMT
New Boy's already investigating other ways of recouping his expenses if the tests don't go as hoped. Introducing the new, patent-pending " Wiltshire Washingline" . . .  |
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Post by scruff871 on Jun 16, 2008 11:34:39 GMT
Rescued from its initial use as "New Boy,s" washing line the Carbon Mast made it to SESCA and had its first outing in the final race after the Open.
In very non-ideal conditions it looked great but could not be fully tested on this outing.Mark was tested more than the mast in the almost wind less conditions as SESCA Junior Tim Copsey[not weighing much more than a bag of crisps !]whispered by him.
Glad to report it has come back to Frampton where it will start being tested fully and may go on holiday to Fowey on our"Salty Weekend".
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Post by New Boy on Jul 1, 2008 9:26:54 GMT
Salty Carbon The Super Spars Carbon mast made its 1st sea outing at Fowey this weekend. Painted Lady would not invert with the new mast on which made life on the sea safer and easier. I would like to point out she was put on her side on purpose and not as a result of me falling out, but I did come close a few times. As the novice I am I really did not notice a massive difference from my old mast. I certainly did not get any new found speed as you will see when the results are published. I did find the mast easier to handle when the big gusts hit and it did look good which is what really matters! The Sail was much easier to raise and lower with a super slick track for it to run up and down. I think the mast is lighter but intend to weigh it soon along with a selection of other masts. I will leave all the technical stuff to someone else as I no nothing! I will be asking Roger and a few others to test the new mast along with the Rowsell sail and get them to post their views on it here soon. New Boy about to wash the salt off |
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Post by New Boy on Jul 7, 2008 21:35:26 GMT
Carbon mast weigh in at Northampton open I hope to weigh the mast at the open and as many other masts as I can to give a good all round view of what is on offer! Has anyone who is going got scales suitable for the job? New Boy |
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Post by New Boy on Jul 11, 2008 8:56:50 GMT
Rule Change The request for a rule change to rule 9a Spars went to Abby last weekend. I have requested the rule should be changed to read The spars shall be made from any material. A vote will take place at the A.G.M in August. Trials so far are going well and a full report will along with weights and costs, be posted in a few weeks. New Boy |
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Post by New Boy on Jul 27, 2008 18:01:02 GMT
Hi All The Super spars Carbon mast was out at Frampton for the weekend and several people took it for a spin including a couple of juniors. Could anyone who used it let everyone know what they thought of it here please. New Boy |
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Post by BMBA Admin on Jul 27, 2008 22:54:29 GMT
Heh. Normally, I follow you. The one chance I had yesterday to sail with the carbon, I very nearly beat Roger. Acceleration compared to Atlantic was very sweet. Especially off the tack and gybe.
To be fair, my honest opinion, it had little, if nothing at all to do with the mast. A bit to do with the boat (gorgeous, lovely stiff hull) and everything to do with the sail. I know what I want for Christmas now!
The mast? Guess it would have been handy if I'd capsized, but otherwise, no difference. Not in Saturday's conditions, anyway. Bet I'd still have almost caught Mr Witts even if I'd had my old Supper Spars fitted.
You could always lend me your sail this coming Wednesday, and see if it makes any difference to Atlantic? ;D Bet she'd skip along, even with her dodgy c-board as it is at the moment.
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Post by scruff871 on Jul 28, 2008 10:14:26 GMT
Forgetting Boat and Sail issues the Carbon Mast trial has proven that the Mast does not show any appreciable improvements other than the weight when stepping the mast,the resultant reduction in heeling moment[weight aloft] and weight reduction when sailing.The purist wouldsay that these ar all desireble and of course they are ...any help with weight whether on shore or on the water would be appreciated.Although I dont believe that the rig has been capsized yet it is bound to be easier to pull up on weight/righting grounds alone. As mentioned all tests and comments are of course purely opinion but the rig was used at Fowey and has been raced at Frampton and has shown no measureable advantage. I have used the rig on "Painted Lady" and personally like it. The Rowsell sail is fine but not my personal choice so will try it with the new P&B development sail.The latter sail is cut for a stifffishly set-up Alloy Superspar mast but I think the flatter upper half of the P&B may complement the Carbon Mast. The Carbon Mast is more flexible above the hounds[stay fixings] which I think is where the overall rig performance on a Moth could be improved.Have long felt that a more flexible top third of the mast would be beneficial. The resulting top end flexibility is good but I have not used the rig as much as I would like to fully assess it in a range of conditions but suggest that the Carbon rig would be easier to use in a blow by "panting" and free-ing off in the upper third in gusts. Overall a nice mast superbly finished by Superspars who again must be thanked for supplying the rig and supporting a development rig.As too must Rowsell sails for helping out with a new sail. In a class that allows the wording that Masts can be made from Bamboo or even GRP the addition of a Carbon alternative would be good for future consideration for new builds or new rig proposals. Roger Witts p.s. You would not expect me not to comment about Bills posting above would you...  Bill "Painted Lady" is a fast proven Hull tis trus and with the new rig and the Rowsell sail is perhaps the best you can get Moth-wise to be competitive anywhere. But "Atlantic Bonus"[JEP/Clarke]has an FRP sandwich hull that is stiffer if not so true[Atalantic has a few ripples and "war wounds"].Atlantic would definitely be faster with a slot gasket...if it is not fitted by August 10th you WILL be publicly flogged,quartered and fed to the Laser sailors...!! Secondly claims of almost catching me ...were we racing?..I was fishing at the time and enjoying a slightly chilled[could have been slightly more chilled come to think of it]glass of Pinot Grigio on the aft deck of "Scruff" when an urchin appeared on the horizon [was that you ?]...sensing my leisure activity was about to be wrecked ...I re-hoisted the sail made ready and duly completed the course. On a serious note Mate you were sailing well as you threaten to do from time to time. Yes a new sail would make a difference but a slot-gasket will reap instant benefits as would a better Centreboard. Now that you have manged to break what was "ONONO,s"mast and have a Big-Boys Mast a new sail should definitely feature in your letter to Santa. Winter discounts[15-20%] usually start in Oct/Dec but have a word with this nice people if you can,t wait..... Rowsell .... Frank or Peter Rowsell P&B ......... Dave Wade Speed ...... Andy Davis R&J ........... Richard Hammerson Batt Sails.. Richard[this site does not permit you to use the shortened version of Richard....!!!] Batt |
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Post by New Boy on Jul 30, 2008 13:07:02 GMT
Capsize test. Painted Lady did fall over while mored at Fowey (Foy) but was flipped back up by the safty boat. Maybe Bill would be the best person to test this as he does spend a remarkable amount of time in the water anyway! Bill after sailing your moth and listeningto in gurgle it's way around the lake I am amazed you make it to the start line. It seems to go well in all directions accept the ones you want it too. Joking aside I think with the cent board sorted it would make a great improvment and with a new sail on her Roger would be drinking a lot of wine as you sailed past him. Laser sailors, guess you had better get that slot gasket on. New Boy |
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Post by New Boy on Aug 11, 2008 7:09:04 GMT
Hi all Thanks to everyone at Frampton on Sunday for letting me weigh your masts. It was very interesting to see the results. I will put them here later today but off for a flying lesson now! If I do not turn up for the nationals you can take it that it did not go well. New Boy |
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Post by New Boy on Aug 11, 2008 9:23:07 GMT
Hi I have just confirmed the price with Super Spars and the mast will be £734 + VAT New Boy |
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Post by New Boy on Aug 11, 2008 9:48:05 GMT
Hi The Carbon mast weight was checked along with several other masts of different makers and the results are as follows. Super Spars Carbon Mast 11.5 lbs Mark Wiltshire Needle Spar 14 lbs Bill Grible Super Spars 14 lbs Georgia Honey Needle Spars 16 lbs Andrew Perrot Proctor Masts 14.8 lbs Mark Wiltshire Super Spars 16 lbs Jeremy Higson Needle Spar 17.6 lbs Ian Hayward Super Spars 15.2 lbs Laura Honey Super Spars 14.6 lbs Roger Witts As you can see there is only 3.5 lbs between the lightest alluminium mast and the carbon mast. The weights shown do include the rigging and The Carbon mast had slightly less on than some of th other masts but we are talking very slight differences here. Thank you for everyone who took the time to get their masts weighed. Carbon is the future and I do feel that now is the right time to take this step. See you all soon at the nationals. New Boy |
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Post by New Boy on Aug 17, 2008 9:08:04 GMT
Hi I was hoping to be able to post the result of the rule change to allow the use of any material for the spars but as most of you know the committee failed to send out the correct notice for a proper vote to take place. After long talks and a healthy debate on the pros and cons a show of hands was asked for to see in principle if the rule change would have gone through. It resulted in a very large majority in favor of the rule change. It is my understanding that letters of notice will now be sent out so that a vote can take place at the Frampton final fling in Oct. Sorry to anyone who is waiting to have the result as waiting to buy a new mast! In answer to a couple of points that were raised by letter I have been informed that Carbon mast life spans will not be reduced by UV rays if they are treated or painted. Also a comment was made again by letter from someone who sailed painted Lady with the Carbon mast saying it was faster. This is really not justified as the mast is on a very quick boat and had on a brand new sail and the person had not sailed painted Lady with the old rig! Having sailed the boat with both rigs I can not feel a difference in speed or see a change in my race positions from using it. It was pointed out that the costs will fall as demand increased and that you could make one yourself which would make them much cheaper. Other changes in the past have not lost members from the fleet and I feel the publicity and greater sail-ability of the boat will in time increase the fleet size. New Boy |
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Post by scruff871 on Aug 20, 2008 10:26:24 GMT
For those that were not at the AGM the vote on whether to permit Masts to be "made from any suitable material"[including Carbon]could not go-ahead due to an error where not all BMBA Members were notified of the proposed rule change.
Following a new proposal to be submitted an EGM will be called /arranged for later in the season possibly at either the Medley or Frampton Open Meetings.
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