Mast bend on CD28

[Ed Haley]

I'm getting ready to toss some more money into that black hole by purchasing a new mainsail. Before I get the exact measurements from my rig, I thought I'd pose a question concerning mast bend (not mast rake) to CD owners. Is there any sailor who actually routinely changes mast bend dynamically while under sail? The measurements for a new mainsail call for taking measure of the rig while in the midrange of nominal mast bend so that the sail can be cut to give satisfactory performance throughout the entire range. The rig tuning instructions in the CD manual mention nothing about mast bend.

I realize that in a mast stepped on deck that there is marginal mast bend anyway, but there is some and it should be able to influence performance. I haven't as yet attempted to bend the mast on my CD28 but I'm considering it. Any thoughts would be helpful.



eghaley@twcny.rr.com

[Russ Campbell]

Ed, I purchased a new mainsail a couple of years ago from Hood and when I asked the guy that question he told me Cape Dory's should be sailed with their mast in column or straight. I have noticed some bend in mine but I try to get it out through tuning the stays. By the way you won't believe how nice the thing will sail with the new main. You know all those sail controls that you wondered what they actually did - Well now you will actually be able to see what every little tweak does and what difference it makes. Have fun
Russ

I'm getting ready to toss some more money into that black hole by purchasing a new mainsail. Before I get the exact measurements from my rig, I thought I'd pose a question concerning mast bend (not mast rake) to CD owners. Is there any sailor who actually routinely changes mast bend dynamically while under sail? The measurements for a new mainsail call for taking measure of the rig while in the midrange of nominal mast bend so that the sail can be cut to give satisfactory performance throughout the entire range. The rig tuning instructions in the CD manual mention nothing about mast bend.

I realize that in a mast stepped on deck that there is marginal mast bend anyway, but there is some and it should be able to influence performance. I haven't as yet attempted to bend the mast on my CD28 but I'm considering it. Any thoughts would be helpful.

camroll@together.net

[Don Carr]

Although I can't speak for the CD28, on the CD25 the mast shape and the stay configuration don't lend themselves to 'dynamic' mast bending. The rigging is very traditional and very few cruising types I know of 'play' with the back stay adjusters while underway. Take a look at the mast profile on a J/Boat and you'll see a big difference. Usually masts meant to be bent have an ever so slight and sometimes not so slight taper. These masts are not usually triple shrouded as CD's are. My $.02.



carrd48@netzero.net

[Marv Brinn]

I'm getting ready to toss some more money into that black hole by purchasing a new mainsail. Before I get the exact measurements from my rig, I thought I'd pose a question concerning mast bend (not mast rake) to CD owners. Is there any sailor who actually routinely changes mast bend dynamically while under sail? The measurements for a new mainsail call for taking measure of the rig while in the midrange of nominal mast bend so that the sail can be cut to give satisfactory performance throughout the entire range. The rig tuning instructions in the CD manual mention nothing about mast bend.

YOur mast is a stiff extrusion and no consideration should be given to designing any bend into it..Compare it to a bendy J amst and the picture is clearer.

I realize that in a mast stepped on deck that there is marginal mast bend anyway, but there is some and it should be able to influence performance. I haven't as yet attempted to bend the mast on my CD28 but I'm considering it. Any thoughts would be helpful.

Mibrinn@aol.com