Marine News

CST Composites are constantly researching new ways to help boats go faster. One recent advancement is the new boom we produce for the International Contender class.

Contender with CST boom and mast

The most obvious improvement is the change in shape from elliptical to rectangular. The primary reason for this is the vast increase in stiffness the new shape affords.

There are multiple other advantages to the new design. For example, the new booms come already fitted with mainsheet hangers and laminated vang fittings. When load-tested, the easy to install, glue-on mainsheet hangers withstood over 1000kg. The change to laminated vang fittings follows the trend with our other small boat racing products.

Glue on mainsheet hanger

The new boom comes with a lightweight, low-friction thimble laminated securely on which reduces weight, eliminates moving parts and invalidates the need for holes to be drilled into the boom which weaken the section.

Low-friction ring laminated on

The new rectangular shape with its flat surfaces also makes it easier to attach other fittings and makes it easier to stow for travel, taking up less space than its rounder counterparts. Not to mention, the new boom won’t roll away when rigging on a slope!

Overall, the new design follows the successful trend of our Moth and 18′ skiff booms and now brings those benefits to the Contender class.

Be sure to place your order!

Recently, CST Composites received a request to replace a broken alloy boom for a Sayer 44. The client wanted to replace the boom with a composite section, whilst keeping the expensive end-fittings. In addition, as with all our clients, cutting down on costs, reducing weight and quick turnaround time were paramount.

In response to this task, CST Composites altered a mandrel so that whilst the boom section would be oval, the rectangular ends required for the existing fittings would be wound as one section. This drastically improves the integrity of the boom as the entire section is produced as a single piece.

Elliptical to rectangular in a single section

In addition, the production was engineered to allow the entire product to be supplied in kit form with easy-to-attach fittings. This shortens the production time, cutting labour costs and ensuring quick turnaround time.

Fittings are easy to attach and look sleek

Couple these factors with the obvious weight benefits of replacing the 50kg alloy section with a section that only weighs 30kg yet is 20% stiffer due to the use of our Intermediate Modulus fibre, not to mention the impressive aesthetic appeal, and the overall result is a success on every front.

This is just another example of how CST Composites works with the customer to identify problems and engineer a solution that is stronger, lighter, longer lasting, better looking and less expensive than alternative products.

The European Championships for the 18′ skiff class came up all CST this year with Howard Hamlin steering the CST boat to a dominating lead, winning the regatta with 2 races to spare. Howie attributes the performance not only to his crew of Scott Babbage and Pete Harris, but to the gear he has on the boat.

CST Composites has worked with Howie to develop a new rig layout for his skiff, combined with his wardrobe of Glaser sails, to achieve superiority over the fleet at this international regatta.

Howard explains: “Basically my goal is still the same.  Have even mast bend where the vang only affects leech control and cunningham is used to flatten evenly top to bottom.

2013 18′ Skiff European Championships

“The rig and sails look great, it is all about learning how to use them.  We still have a lot of untapped potential left.  We are at a huge disadvantage without anyone in America to race or tune against.  So we only get to work on it when racing 3 times a year (Sydney, Europeans and San Francisco).

“It has been really nice to do this project with CST and Glaser.  I now have a much better understanding of how skiff rigs/sails behave and what we need to do.”

Howies new rig layout differed from the fleet through the fore stay and side stay points both moving up the tip, close to a meter higher than the conventional rig layout. This helped achieve the more even and symmetrical bend that skiff-sailors and sail-makers covet. In addition, the higher fore stay means the fore-triangle increases in size, in turn, increasing the size of the jib. This change is important as it closes the gap between the size of the mainsail versus the size of the jib, resulting in a better balance of the two sails and improved dynamics.

New CST rig with higher fore stay

Perhaps this will be the catalyst needed to entice more American sailors to participate in the 18′ skiff class. CST Composites continues to support the growth, development and ingenuity of this iconic class.

Mast base

CST has been developing masts for windsurfing formula boards. After working with Brett Morris and Jesper Vesterstrom, CST has had success in the 2013 Qantas Down Under Pro. Jesper Vesterstrom achieved a great result, coming second in testing conditions of 20-30 knots. CST will continue to work with Brett and Jesper to provide superior solutions for high-performance formula board masts.

Mast ferrule

2013 is off to a fantastic start for sailors with CST masts. We’ve had some exciting winning results in several classes of Australian national championships. Congratulations to all the winners.

16′ Skiff Australian Champion 2012/2013

Brydens – 16′ Skiff Australian Champion 2012/2013

Brydens Compensation Lawyers (Lee Knapton, Peter Mackie, Ricky Bridge). Using a CST Composites mast combined with MacDiarmid Sails, winning their titles with a day to spare. See the results here.

I14 Skiff Australian Champion 2012/2013

Del Boca Vista – I14 Skiff Australian Champion 2012/2013

Del Boca Vista (Brad Devine, Ian Furlong). Using a CST Composites mast combined with Alexander Sails, winning their titles with a day to spare. See the results here.

NS14 Australian Champion 2012/2013

Tempest – NS14 Australian Champion 2012/2013

Tempest (Bryce Edwards, Amanda Stern). Using a CST Composites mast combined with Barracouta Sails. See the results here.

B14 Australian Champion 2012/2013

One More for the Bone (Guy Bancroft, Lachie Imeneo). Using a CST Composites mast combined with Irwin Sails. See the results here.

Cherub Australian Champion 2012/2013

Son of Wally (Trevor Fay, Nigel Blatchford). Using a CST Composites mast. See the results here.

Contender Australian Championship 2012/2013

Balance (Mark Bulka). Using a CST Composites mast. See the results here.

Sydney to Hobart IRC 3 Winner 2012/2013

Lunchtime Legend, Beneteau First 40 (Robert Robertson). Using a CST Composites mast. See the results here.

Forestay attachement, spreader attachment and mainsheet hanger

Here at CST we’ve recently redesigned our moth fittings. They are now not only aesthetically more attractive, but they’ve been designed for weight reduction, strength, and flexibility of application. All you need to attach our forestay attachment, spreader attachment and mainsheet hangers, is glue.

These fittings are now available at CST Express, our online store.

Antonio Lambertini 2012 Contender World Championships

CST has recently had multiple successes in the contender class. In April, the contender world titles were held at the St Petersburg Yacht Club in Florida USA. Antonio Lambertini secured first place, while Giovanni Bonzio grabbed second. Both boats were fitted with CST masts. Congratulations guys!

The European Championships were held in July/August at Gottskar, Sweden, where Andrea Bonezzi, from Italy, took first place. We are proud to say he was using a CST Mast. Congratulations Andrea.

CST is happy to congratulate moth sailor, Tatsuya Wakinaga, for his fantastic win in the 2012 Japanese International Moth Class Championship held at Lake Hamana, south of Mount Fuji. Tatsuya was using CST moth and boom. We’re excited to be involved in another sailing win and the second in a row in Japan.