Anyone know where it came from, and when?
The one like we use today with the diamond wires attached to the mast.
thanks in advance

The first boats I've seen with wingmasts were Penguins around 1970. Also interested to find out more.

I've always wondered why the AC class boats never went with wing masts...there is some much to be gained. Is it a class rule or an engineering problem (110 ft rotating mast )
Mike.

As so many things related to monohull design : Class rules are the cause.

Another example : Without error in the class rules we would never have seen to many mono's designed with a relatively small triangular mainsail behind a very large overlapping jib or genua.

" High-speed sailing began in iceboats with the development of the rotating mast and full-battened sails "

I looked all over the place for more references, but found none.

I was wondering if maybe an early cat class in England like the Shearwater had invented it but maybe not.
A Swiss person emailed me this photo with the following text:
Hi,

I am not subscribed to the Catsailor Forum, hence the private response.

The first rotating wing mast on a catamaran was probably A. S. deW. Herreshoff's catamaran Seaspider, built in Bristol R.I. at the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in November 1944. Sidney Herreshoff was the son of the great Nathanael G. Herreshoff.

I am attaching a photo of Seaspider sailing in around 1945. When you look at the diamonds you can clearly see just how much the mast is rotated.

Best regards from Switzerland,

Claas van der Linde

Hmmm. Looks like Mr. Herreshoff copied that design from the Hobie 16.

And, Claas, if you are reading this, there is no "subscription" to this forum. It is FREE. Please join us, because your expertise would be welcome. I haven't heard from you in quite some time.

My oh My,
Those crazy Herrshoff boys were way ahead of thier time!
That thing looks like a 16 on Viagra, Cialis, Steroids, and a mean protein diet!
Are there any around today?

David

Lord knows...IT'S probably lighter than my F18 too.

Mary,

In 1945???? I guess the opposite would make more sense.

Oh. Really??

Frank Bethwaite often claimed, during the course of boat shows over the years from about the mid 60's to the mid 80's, that HE was the "inventor" of the "rotating aerofoil mast". He used to say that his design, the NS 14 was the first boat (mono or multi) that incorporated it. Like a lot of things that Frank attributes to himself, either verbally or written, it was incorrect and just one other thing of many that he plagiarised from some one/some where else.

And I always thought that Bill Roberts first pioneered it on a Supercat 20 in the 70's ! (JOKE !)

Wouter