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A Cat Worlds 2009
Fiberfoam masts again showed their paces at the 2009 A Cat World Championships in Australia where they were used by 8 of the top 10 boats , including first placed Glenn Ashby. Sailed in a wide range of conditions the 94 boat fleet provided a solid test for equipment and once again Fiberfoam masts showed their consistent versatility and speed both upwind and downwind.  
"WHICH MAST" Fiberfoam masts 8 out of top 10 2006 Worlds - 13 August 2006
Around the boat park there is always a lot of talk about masts. So to help clear some myths here is some information. A masts most important funtion is to fit to the sail. It can not be too stiff nor too soft.To some degree Spreader angle and diamond wire tensions can be used to adjust stiffness, but if a mast is basically wrong then fine tuning will not help. Small sideways bend in the mast are not important since the tensions put on the mast when sailing are far above the tension needed to bend the mast such small amounts. Also a small change in rotation angle will have far more influence on sideways bend .  
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Fore aft bend is another matter. If a mast is bent positively fore aft- or 'prebent' - then that will have a big effect on how it works with the sail.More prebend,less power. And if a mast is prebent negatively(prebent forward) then that is pretty tragic. The negative can be taken out by diamond tension , but above the hounds it will return. End result - flat lower sail , full upper sail = slow. Another thing is 'static bend testing'. This is where the bare mast is measured by putting weight at certain points and measuring the deflections fore aft and sideways. At Fiberfoam we do this with every mast we produce , to give a 'relative' measure from one mast to another. Indeed some other mast builders - seeing Fiberfoams successful performances - have sold their masts as "same as Fiberfoam" . Sorry , but no. In our testing we have also determined that even if 2 masts have the same static bend test results , they do not necessarily react the same on the water.The 'secret' to a carbon mast is the type of carbon used , and the layup - the number and angle of these layers. So forget the 'same as Fiberfoam' - the layup is our secret. So if you are after a new mast - why buy a 'copy' when you can have the original....?  

Carbon Masts


Fiberfoams  A Cat Medium Series  masts have had great success with Glenn Ashby winning just about everything , including the 2006 World Championships .


Scott Anderson - two time Tornado and A Class World Champion - works in conjunction with some of the worlds leading catamaran sailmakers  to ensure the all important mast/sail combination is in harmony. In a development class such as the A Class this ongoing research is critical and is just one reason for Fiberfoam masts to be the choice of the champions.


Masts are made using high grade pre-pregs, in metal moulds - with computer controlled heat ramps and curing times - to ensure consistency and high quality finish. Every masts’ bend characteristics are measured and recorded for easy reference to sailors individual weights. 


Sections


‘A Class’ - 145mm  x   59mm.


This section weighs approx. 980g/metre. Lengths to 9800mm. Features extra stiff track section to prevent sail pulling out. Plus Reinforcing in areas of extra stress such as hounds; diamonds; mast hook; cunningham. Surface finish is matt black, showing the carbon cloth lay-up (see below ).


‘F-20’ - 160 mm   x  74 mm.


This section weighs approx. 1420g/metre. Lengths to 10000mm. Features extra stiff track section to prevent sail pulling out. Plus Reinforcing in areas of extra stress such as hounds; diamonds; mast hook; cunningham. For boats such as Tornado, F20, H20 etc.  


Surface finish is matt black, showing the carbon cloth lay-up(see A Cat below).


Fit-Out - Both sections are available either as blank sections with track groove pre-cut, or fitted-out  to your wishes.
CARBON MASTS
 Part Order No.Product
A01A CAT Mast Tube only.
Soft & Med & Hard
A02NEW Style 2008 Fittings Kit:
Top hook; NEW Style Tee Hounds; Gooseneck; Finger Screw Adjustable Spreaders; Dyform Diamonds; NEW Style Internal Cunningham System Complete; NEW Style Inox Base with swivel cleats;NEW Style Rotation Arm off base; Nos. Strips; Top Cap; Base swivel cup or pin (male or female); bolts & rivets.
A03Fit-out cost: Labor
A04Complete Fitted NEW Style A Cat Mast
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