My research into combination of wood and carbon does not give that
much financial advantage to going all carbon as the strength to price
ratio is not much difference between the quality wood needed and
carbon bought at the right price. There is a big difference in weight
and the differences in stretch characteristics makes it hard to
usefully match the two materials for a mast.
Many people have used laminated timber free standing masts and I could
imagine a laminated timber top section reinforced on the diagonal to
prevent splitting could work.
Be nice to see someone try it.
Robert

>
> Sounds really interesting. I hope it works.
>
> How much heavier does the mast have to be in order to gain this feature?
>
> Could the mast be constructed out of wood, carbon fiber without being
> too heavy?
>
>
>
>
> This might be overly optimistic, I was hoping for a telescoping mast
> in order to get under a bridge on a homebuilt
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In harryproa@yahoogrou ps.com.au, "Rob Denney" <harryproa@> wrote:
> >
> > On Dec 30, 2007 1:28 PM, captian_rapscallion
> > <captian_rapscallio n@> wrote:
> >
> > > I have several questions.
> > Keep 'em coming!
> > >
> > > Is the mast free standing?
> > Yes
> > >
> > > Is the mast keel stepped?
> > Yes, with a UHMPWE plastic bearing on the keel and another on the
deck.
> > >
> > > Is the section wing shaped?
> > Yes, a shortened Clark Y section, as per Tom Speer's logic.
> > >
> > > Is the mast metal or composite?
> > Carbon/epoxy infused in a female mould, each piece is built in 2
> > halves, the lower piece also has a sheer web.
> > >
> > > have you built a prototype?
> > No. The 15m one will be the first. I did not think the loads and
> > controls would scale up very accurately so did niot build a small one
> > first. As it is for me, it is a risk I am prepared to take.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Rob
> > >
> > >
> >
>