Having just snapped my mast and in great doubt of getting it repaired in time for salcombe, does anyone have a spare chipstow mast I could borrow for that week?

I'm aware it a long shot!

Shouldn't there be a minimum weight for masts so that they can be built stronger and break less?  They do seem quite fragile.

It seems to be the Chipstows that snap regularly. I would have thought that even if there was a minimum weight most of it would be below the gooseneck anyway wouldn't it?

To be fair most go either due to rigging failure if get stuck in the bottom. Since 75% of the masts used at opens etc are chipstows its hardly suprising that they also feature strongly in the breakages.

This is true Chris.

I've been trying to break my 1st generation Superspars for some while by forgetting to put the puller on, snapping the puller, forgetting the lowers etc, but it seems pretty robust.  I haven't tried breaking a shroud or sticking it in the bottom which worked very successfully on the alloy masts I have broken in the past.  The main channel at Salcombe is easily deep enough to turtle without it touching by the ferry, at the fuel barge, by Mill Bay buoy, at Blackstone...

Just remember folks, there's only a couple of underwriters and premiums are pretty much done by class.  This means you all pay for each others masts with you claim, so when they pay out, remember to say "Thanks for the new mast" on the forum.

Jacko advised me to make sure the kicker and mainsheet are off, puller is on after a capsize, before you bring the boat up.

So only the heavy 1st generation Super Spars are strong......cue Sherlock Holmes.

Yeah true. Still in need of a spare though, and if anyone knows the best way to get in touch with jacko?

Best way to get hold of Alan is email, it's on the Chipstow website.

I think hes on holiday.

Its true about premiums true, when my Bishop skinner renewal came through it had gone up by 250% 
When I phoned to ask about it I was told in no uncertain terms it was due to mast claims, perhaps each mast should have a loading dependant on the number of claims against them.

2 masts were broken at Carsington. In both cases a starboard hroud failed - 1 at the deck sheave and, unusually, 1 just below the spreaders. As both boats were on a 3 sail reach in a 6 gusting 7 I don't think you can blame the carbon masts for failing at the lowers. Even a deck stepped Proctor D would have failed in these conditions. These mast breakeages were entirely due to rigging failure. As far as I am aware neither sets of shrouds exhibited any evidence of weakness/failure prior to the race.

In order to reduce mast breakages, and therefore reduce insurance premiums, it sounds as though we should:
a) get rid of all hog-stepped masts (if they are stepped on the deck, they can fall over without breaking).
b) get rid of the lowers (so that, once a shroud breaks) they can fall over without doing any further damage.

And ensure there is always sufficient water depth to invert the boat if you capsize. 22ft dagger board anyone?

c) always sail on port

Good luck with finding a mast rich. My dads got a fine metal one in his garden you would be welcome to have for Salcombe - I'll even throw in a burgee. 

Keep your eyes on the shrouds for wear & tear - especially where they are crimped to the T fittings. A failure here, caused my old mast to snap.

I have just replaced my shrouds for that reason. 2 of the 7 strands had sheard at the hounds.

He's back in the shed on Monday, Always best to email him.