Furling masts range

USE : manual Sparcraft stoway masts work with a tried and tested worm drive reefing system Hand operated SPARCRAFT furling masts use exclusively furling systems equipped with endless screws. This system is the only one allowing for a safe guidance of the furling control while avoiding overfurling, and also it is the only one which may be operated by a single person ( two hands control).
The diameter of the endless screws has been optimized in order to reduce furling stress under load. They are made out of anodized aluminium and fitted on stainless steel roller bearings with a special protection. The surface treatment of the furling cavity is the same as the one applied to the mast ( anodization or painting) in order to prevent any rusting which might in the long term stain the sail and damage the mast. The furling rod is left floating within the cavity, with no interior tensioning cable . With this type of assembly there is no increase in the compression inside the profile (and thus a weight decrease) and a guarantee for a perfectly smooth furling. The furling rod diameter is much larger than the sail’s clearance in the mast profile and therefore can in no way get blocked or ejected. The swivel block ‘s upper part is fitted to the mainsail halyard and its lower side receives the mainsail. The swivel block acts as guide for the furling rod in the upper section. It is possible to remove it from the furling mast for maintenance purposes. The furling control sheet is rolled onto the endless screw in the plant. It is easy to replace ( refer to maintenance instructions).

SPECIFIC FEATURES : A furling mast comprises two cavities, forward the mast portion with all its components and aft a fairing protecting the furling system and the mainsail. No camber shall be introduced during tuning of the furling mast. Because of the mainsail reduced surface, a yacht equipped with a furling mast is always easier to steer than one equipped with a standard mast carrying a larger sail surface.

MAST SETTINGS : The preparation and installation operations regarding a furling mast are the same as for standard masts. However, as the aft part of the mast is open, it is important not to exert any overpressure on it during lifting, in order to avoid distortions. The best trick to prevent this is to introduce a wooden wedge into the cavity at the level of the sling. The wedge will be removed once the mast is secured by the rigging.