bent top mast/straight top mast

L

lasereng

Member
Hi!

In what conditions is a bent top mast beneficial, light/mod/heavy or very little whatsoever, and the same for a straight top mast? I know a bent top mast isn't class legal but am curious to know?

Cheers
 
Umm...You never want a permanently bent top section.

/thread

Wait...Were you talking about some sort of pre-bent top section?
 
Light air is a good time for a bent or very soft top section. The luff curve of the sail is set for a certain amount of bend, which you normally accomplish with mainsheet, and vang. Having the bent section means you don't need as much mainsheet or vang on..

Once you start to power up, the bent section causes you to lose power and point. In heavy air, turn the top section 180 degrees so the tip is foward and in effect you are sailing with a stiffer top section (until it breaks) which is fast if you have the weight to hold the boat down
 
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