I'm looking at a 2002 F18HT that has been out for a couple of years rigged and unused. It is in mint condition but the carbon chute snuffer pole is clearly losing its protective outer casing - since it is rigged it gets sunlight all day. No big deal, but I'm want to make sure of the mast. It looks fine, gets less sun than than the pole (its rigged so the profile is less), and the and the boat is in a semi-shaded area. What anyones the advice in this case?

Hi DMoring

The carbon section and fibres are very UV-resistent. If the outer coat of carbon laminated structur peals off, it most likely only a cosmetic problem, because the carbon itself is UV-resistent, but not the epoxy resin. the epoxy rersin will peal off, if not protected with paint, when it is directly exposed to the sun.

don't worry about the mast, there isn't one breakage what I know of (in Switzerland and Italy)

>I'm looking at a 2002 F18HT
It is a good boat. Fast and lite!

Andreas, thanks for your advice - I bought it! I'll post a picture when I pick it up in a few weeks. Thanks again.