Hi everyone !

I,m looking for your opinion...
I would like to put another series of cable stays higher on the mast ( like you see on a sailboat or DN )
to prevent the mast from bending to much.
What do you think of that design on Iceflyer? anyone ever tried this set-up ? and how would you rig this system to the mast ?


Thanks for your answer.

Stéphane
http://rafale.atspace.com

Some other things to consider..

The isabella originally had the windsurfing mast stayed up high and later changed to the method similar to the Iceflyer. Im not sure why it was changed but Ive heard of people snapping windsurfing masts because they are not designed for the compression load that the high stay generates. If you take precaution in the design to make sure the mast helper isnt abrasively wearing away at the mast where it contacts the mast helper, you generally dont have problems with mast failure using the ice flyer config.

Have you tried to stiffen the mast with the top of a second mast inserted into the bottom piece of the mast you are using? This reduces some of the twist off you are describing.

Also, the twist off at the top does a couple of things which extend the wind range of the boat. It lowers the center of effort of the sail and also likely generates some down force lift vector (somewhat similar to what the DN is acheiving with the middle bend in the mast).

Thank you for your answer.

I will try your idea by stiffen the mast with another tube inside.

See ya !