this was just sent to my e-mail. Looks like an aluminum stick is in our future.

FYI

Copy of the letter sent to N20 class members



[ Nacra N20 Sailors

In August 2007, do to an increase in pricing of the carbon mast, the F17 Class was notified that the factory was going to make the Nacra Infusion aluminum mast extrusion standard for the F17. The project took about 6 months to get the F17 aluminum mast up to speed with the carbon rig. It took team work and diligent testing to get the project completed by utilizing two sail makers working with top 17 sailors. The goal was to have a mainsail match the bend characteristics of the aluminum mast and be equal to the performance of the mast /sail plan of the carbon rig. The top F17 class members were in agreement that the Nacra F17SW (alu) was up to speed with the F17 carbon rig. [note: F17 North American results for 2008 out of the top four boats, two were aluminum rigs & two carbon rigs]

For the last six months, Performance Sports Int’l, Inc. has been working on that section to be used as an optional mast on the N20.. Due to the bend characteristics of the longer aluminum mast, a new mainsail is needed for development. Also under consideration is a possible lower spin bail location which means a slight change to the spin. Just like the F17 project, this development is needed to ensure the equality of performance.

Nacra will have a number of top N20 sailors teaming with the same two sail makers to give the same developmental effort to the new rig. If favorable, a proposal to the class will be sent out by spring 2009.

International Nacra Class Association

1800 East Borchard Ave.

Santa Ana, Ca.

USA ]

Aluminum N20 wingmast already delivered in Singapore:
https://boatsbikesboards.wordpress.com/

Edit: Also, Taddypoo NOT HAPPY about alum masts.

First off, having sailed with one of their top 17 sailors for more than 10 years now (Bob Curry), anyone who knows Bob's ability can easily recognize the difference in talent level when looking at the 2008 NA Results. Bob has put on professional level campaingns the last several years on the N17, which have been part of the boat development. Not to even dream of taking anything away from Bob's talent (natural and developed), one could easily say Bob could beat you with an extra XX lbs onboard (i.e. heavier mast).

In case you can't tell yet, I bought into an N20 over a year ago and love the carbon stick. We all expected to see this development come eventually with the rising costs of carbon (although not sure they shouldn't come down eventually). I would like to see the list of top teams who will be doing the development, and be kept up to speed on developments and results. I don't think you should be taking Mischa or Macca and putting them up against a Joe-the-plumber weekend warrior such as myself. While I have a lot of tiller time over the 30+ years I've been sailing, this must be a realistic trial period. Only thing I've seen so far is someone in Singapore who has never sailed an N20 before. Not sure how he gets one of the first batch?

its not his "fault". He was basically given an option to take the alum mast now, or wait 6 months for a carbon one.

I would have taken the Alum too.

It's not going to be that bad. I believe it's actually the only solution that can prolong the class. The modern aluminum mast will probably weigh very close to the carbon stick and be more of a wing profile. I am a little concerned, however, that they may be lowering the bail and reducing the kite size.

There was chatter awhile back about a "double spreader rig" ,I guess lowering the bail is the cheaper solution.Smaller kite would suck. Although a few have been going out small lately anyway. It's an option I don't want to have to take.
Todd
p.s. Karl how'd you get on a mailing list???

Definitely agree with you guys on the lower bail and smaller spin.
If any changes are made they need to make sure to try to keep all current equipment on a level playing field, having a smaller spinnaker would make all the current spinnakers have a clear advantage.

I also got the email... must have been automatically added from N.A.'s

I don't think the lowering of the bail will be a bad thing, especially if it is less the 12". You can lengthen the leech and foot to keep the same sail area with the same sheeting point. Might be the optimum time to also update the draft and fullness! I think it will all be good. Plus, it will be more affordable. Just look at what we did with the F17!

Testing of this magnitude will produce interesting results, both positive and negative. Please keep in mind the testing results will most likely not be made public. There were approximately nine F17 prototype sails made before the final versions. Like the F17, the end result will be fantastic.

Bob
F17 Class Home Page

Probs I have with changing the kite also is, You break your mast and you have to buy a mast, a main, and a kite. Still probably way cheaper than a new carbon mast but it negates all your spare sails also.
Just thinking ,
Todd

Lowering the bale will mean a shorter luff; this will give a lower aspect sail. Thus slower.

Yes you can add back area by making the leach and foot longer, but this will put you at a disadvantage against the longer luffed sails.

Luff length is king.

wonder if the boat's rating will go to 66.7 also when it gets a mast like the N17....

That was part of my point too.

I still don't like it. I don't see why an alternative carbon mast supplier wasn't more vigorously persued.

I don't think it would change the situation that much. The new mast (using modern construction methods) would have different bend characteristics...though you could design it to leave the spin hoist height the same.

So I'm assuming that the carbon stick will be grandfathered into to the class rules so we wont be forced to get rid of it... I hope.

If they change the spin it will hurt the class. Period.

This is all (the alum. stick) a mute point if the N20 new MSRP is not priced in the mid to high teens. After all, there have not been alot of $25K boats sold, if any. I "believe" the new boats (carbon rigs) that went to P'cola last month were acquired at the old price (<$20K). You would expect the new price to be similar to the Infusion price. My thoughts here are concerning the US market.

Not saying it is Singapore N20's fault.....but would expecet the development by top sailors as stated to take place before it went out into open market.

Does anyone know how much weight the alum masts will add to the boat? And what generation mainsail did Singapore N20 get?

Jus tgot word that an '09 N20 showed up in SoCal with the alum mast. Its gone domestic. I don't know if its a "testing" boat or not, nor who the owner is.

don't worry guys, the new alloy rig was tested properly before release, some might say it was pushed really hard

I went for a quick sail today on the Singapore boat and its great, for anyone who doubts the rig is equal to the carbon stick, say try it out before you condem it.

Macca,

How much more / less does the Alu mast weigh. The old Carbon one was built like a tank I am told.