Fiberglass masts - breakage, history?

Posted by John Chille (squeaks47@…>)

I know of at least one, and likely two very early Freedom 28 cat-ketches that were supplied with white, fiberglass masts (both main & mizzen) between Freedoms’ switch from aluminum to carbon fiber. With the recent reports of failure(s) of black, carbon fiber masts on Freedom 33’s and that I am in the market for either a Freedom 28 or 33 cat-ketch, what is anyone’s knowlege / experience with the fiberglas masts? I know they must be heavier than the carbon fiber and possibly the alluminum masts, or are the mast walls thinner? Most important though is how have they held up?
All response is appreciated,
John Chille
Sloop Babe,
Alameda, CA

Posted by Dave_Benjamin (dave_benjamin@…>)

I wouldn’t worry too much. The Freedom masts are very proven. The big
problem is people drilling holes into them which can greatly weaken
the mast. Garhauer makes nice stainless bands that can be used to
attach hardware to a Freedom mast. Alternatively you can glass
something on to the mast. It would be interesting to inspect those
failed masts and find out if there were some unwarranted holes
drilled.
your chances of losing the rig are much higher with a conventional
mast.



— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “John Chille”
<squeaks47@e…> wrote:

I know of at least one, and likely two very early Freedom 28 cat-
ketches that were supplied with white, fiberglass masts (both main &
mizzen) between Freedoms’ switch from aluminum to carbon fiber. With
the recent reports of failure(s) of black, carbon fiber masts on
Freedom 33’s and that I am in the market for either a Freedom 28 or
33 cat-ketch, what is anyone’s knowlege / experience with the
fiberglas masts? I know they must be heavier than the carbon fiber
and possibly the alluminum masts, or are the mast walls thinner? Most
important though is how have they held up?
All response is appreciated,
John Chille
Sloop Babe,
Alameda, CA