Carbon fibre mast

gtflash · 09 September 2015, 07:05

I saw a rib at key haven with a carbon fibre mast, which it was using as a perch for the white light and vhf aerial. It looked really good. Anyone else done the same and have any pictures? Any idea where I can get a 2nd hand one? I am obviously not googling the right sail boat words to find anything of any value

butty · 09 September 2015, 10:28

I do a lot of carbon fibre work with the racing yachts I am involved with, all this stuff is bespoke and normally made to order.....

What are you wanting it to hold? Antenna, nav lights etc?? Not that difficult to make, might be able to help you out.

butty · 09 September 2015, 10:30

I deal with a fair amount of carbon work with the racing yachts I am involved with. All this carbon work is normally bespoke and made to order.

Are you just wanting it to carry an antenna and all round white light? I might me blue to help you out?

gtflash · 09 September 2015, 17:44

Yes. In all fairness that's all it will do. Hold light aerial and gps aerial

butty · 11 September 2015, 15:25

You have got me thinking about this now.

I am installing a new console in a rib this winter and am thinking this might be a good look.

I have started to mock something up, will post some pic tomorrow.

If you would like something similar let me know and I can see if I can build one for you. What exactly do you want it to look like, carry and rough size??

butty · 12 September 2015, 15:23

I knocked this up today out of some off cuts I have kicking around the container.

It measures about 650 mm high, is made out of 30mm dia carbon tubes with the base plate out of solid 3mm carbon plate and the two mounting shelves made out of 4mm thick foam sandwich.

This is to mount on my new console, centrally in front of the wind screen and will hold a gps and chef antenna on the top and a led bi colour on the lower shelf.

I need to finish off some more fillets on it and then spray with a clear lacquer and drill all the mounting holes, but didn't take long to kncock up.

So if you fancy one pm me and we can see what you are after. Will do it for cost of materials.

Cheers

Butty

butty · 12 September 2015, 15:25

iPad will only allow one pic at a time, sorry

Phil M · 12 September 2015, 17:22

If you just want the carbon fibre pole to glue to a base, look at kayak paddle shafts. They are about 35mm diameter from memory and usually come without blades (ends) as you buy those and glue to suit your preferred type and angle. They are damn strong as mine have had some serious punishment over the years.

Phil M

gtflash · 13 September 2015, 19:37

That is a very smart "knock up".

I've been thinking too, the boat show and families desires. I like exactly what you made, but the kids are talking about towing toys since the boat show. Could a metal pipe, stainless or Ali, create a core for something like that.? Or would it delaminate?

Original intention was approx 1m above rear seat or 1.5-2m total to house white light. Leaning back to look a bit cooler. Stainless is so last year

Quote:

Originally Posted by butty

You have got me thinking about this now.

I am installing a new console in a rib this winter and am thinking this might be a good look.

I have started to mock something up, will post some pic tomorrow.

If you would like something similar let me know and I can see if I can build one for you. What exactly do you want it to look like, carry and rough size??

gtflash · 14 September 2015, 05:35

The beauty of this forum is amazing. Turns out towing toys from up high is a no no. So back to plan a. Me 1. Kids 0

Quick question. How strong would that mast be. if.... Say a drunk friend stumbled and used it as a catching hand hold. I don't have any idea how strong carbon is.

butty · 14 September 2015, 06:04

My boss's scorpion has a rear single post with a ski eye welded to the top,it carries a nav light and vhf antenna too, it's stainless.

The problem about wrapping stainless in carbon is once you add salt water you get reaction issues. I would go for a stainless option, if it is sunk into the floor and held as high as possible with a support collar is will be strong enough to tow.

As far as the strength of this one, I will clamp to the bench and hang some lead ingots from the tip to see how strong it will be. The tube is rigid and the glue is as strong an the tube if not stronger, so I think it will cope with being used as a handle!!

cptsideways · 15 September 2015, 20:52

Windsurfing masts, ideal I think you will find.

Might even have a spare one going (at least half a one so about 1.8m of)