I have an 8 year old boat with one of the original pre spin masts.... I don't double trap with more then 380 lbs on the boat because I fear I will break it going up wind....(Advice of Darren Bundock) Down Wind.... I blow rotation to allow the mast to rotate to 90 to keep it together in a breeze.

When I break it.... I would much rather put a carbon mast on the boat and get a (new to me).. slightly used sail from someone on a campaign. The technology will be superior to anything else on the market.

If I sell the boat to a cruiser... an aluminum stick will be just fine for them as well.

The Olympic guys want a carbon mast for two reasons:reproducibility and cost control based on the class president's letter.

Reproducibility... They seem to collect sticks to find the proper one for them.....They believe that the carbon masts will be far more reproducible and so cheaper in the long run. Cost Control.... Well funded campaigns (the Brits) have a mast program on going so the cost of playing just went up enormously.

With respect to a the cost of the boat... an I20 with carbon mast is close to 16K.... Is a Marstrom worth a 5 or 6 K premium?? ... ABSOLUTELY... the boat is bullet proof for 10 years and holds it value longer.

With respect to a campaign... the cost of the boat is trivial compared to the cash needed for sails, travel regattas and coaching.

Take Care
Mark