Mast Technology

The mast program in 2013 comes up with new detail and quality improvements, particularly regarding the refined bend curves and increased breakage strength. This is only possible through the implementation of an electronically-controlled mast test device which supplies more precise measurements than previous analog equipment.

The industry standard IMCS mast check method meanwhile is over 30 years old. The bend curve families Flex Top, Hard Top and Constant Curve are set too wide and unprecise for modern performance sails. A so-called Constant Curve mast which almost corresponds to a hard top mast, has nothing to do with a constant curve mast, which is at the border to a flex top mast. Through the introduction of a new type of hydraulic mast measurement system with digital control technology (combined bend curve and crash check) now it’s possible to adjust the bend curve over the whole length and find ways to improve the breaking strength. Ongoing tests thus guarantee a reliable quality control.

Thanks to our new mast measuring and our refinded IMCS system, we were able to analyze the masts of all other brands. This allows us to say exactly how good NorthSails masts work with other brand sails or which masts from other manufacturers are compatible with NorthSails:

• NorthSails compatible masts / sails: Aerotech / Ezzy / Goya / Hot Sails / KA Sails Loft Sails / Sail Works / Simmer / XO Sails
• NorthSails partly compatible masts / sails (at about 30-40% performance loss): Gun Sails / Point 7
• NorthSails incompatible masts / sails: Hard Top: Gaastra / Maui Sails / Naish Sails / Severne Flextop: Insert Tushingham / Neil Pryde

The importance of the mast is almost always extremely underestimated. In fact the mast is the engine of each rig. Or in other words, a Ferrari chassis with a beetle engine will never become really fast!