CST’s Director of Strategy & Business Development, Mark Sterbic, met with the Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and Minister for Higher Education, Kim Carr. The Minister was shown the next generation of carbon fibre pressure vessels for use in Automotive applications.
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.
CST has developed a range of specialist products that are designed to address rapidly growing demands for specialist composite products to replace traditional alloy materials. Specifically these developments include:
Mining & Infrastructure
We are currently developing a number of new products suitable for a range of mining, infrastructure and other industrial applications.
I-Beam
Our development of the I-Beam will come to fruition this year and we expect to release the product in volume to the marketplace by the third quarter of 2013. This product will be technologically advanced and provide a solution for infrastructure, construction, and industrial clients. The I-Beam has generated a great deal of interest and seems to be the perfect structural component for many applications.
Pultruded carbon fibre I-Beam
I-Beam stand
Communication Masts
We have continued our development of a range of communication masts specifically designed for the mining Industry. Because metal masts have been shown to fatigue rapidly, CST has designed a new prototype for this application. We have developed a prototype of a unique product that integrates into existing hardware and provides substantial life-cost benefits. CST’s prototype is stronger than current solutions and is suitably designed to bear operational forces, prevent fatigue and, therefore, damage.
CST has developed a range of specialist products that are designed to address rapidly growing demands for specialist composite products to replace traditional alloy materials. Specifically these developments include:
Mining & Infrastructure
We are currently developing a number of new products suitable for a range of mining, infrastructure and other industrial applications.
I-Beam
Our development of the I-Beam will come to fruition this year and we expect to release the product in volume to the marketplace by the third quarter of 2013. This product will be technologically advanced and provide a solution for infrastructure, construction, and industrial clients. The I-Beam has generated a great deal of interest and seems to be the perfect structural component for many applications.
Pultruded carbon fibre I-Beam
I-Beam stand
Communication Masts
We have continued our development of a range of communication masts specifically designed for the mining Industry. Because metal masts have been shown to fatigue rapidly, CST has designed a new prototype for this application. We have developed a prototype of a unique product that integrates into existing hardware and provides substantial life-cost benefits. CST’s prototype is stronger than current solutions and is suitably designed to bear operational forces, prevent fatigue and, therefore, damage.
CST Composites will be exhibiting at the JEC Europe Composites Show 2013. JEC Europe is the biggest composites exhibition in the world. You can find us at stand F2 on 12, 13 and 14 March.
CST Composites will take the opportunity to showcase its capabilities in filament winding, pultrusion and composites fabrication.
In attendance will be our Managing Director, Clive Watts, our General Manager, Chris Dixon and our Fabrication Manager, Chris Flanagan.
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
Lumix with Wingmast
CST Composites Wingmast on the Lumix
CST Composites has worked with 18 foot skiff skipper, Jonathan Witty, to design a revolutionary new wingmast which has been fitted with a sail from North Sails. Jonno is using CST’s wingmast on Lumix during the 2012-2013 season. You can read about the exciting project here.
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.
