So been thinking, I upgraded most of my kit but still have a couple rdm masts, using a gun 100% carbon and techolimits 75% they're still going strong after at least 10years since I bought them. Have masts changed heaps in that time, wondering whether I should retire them as spares...
That is a good ?.l'm know guru in masts but l know enough & what to look for.l think the old fiberspas built in the U.S were bullet proof ,mainly the higher carbon ones.l recently brought a highend mast last year & its already starting to splinter.l wont mention the brand.Since that l have sourced another brand in a lower carbon percentage so far all good.l honestly dont believe what some manufacterers say these days.when you fork out $800 on a good masts you would'nt expect it to show signs of wear so early.
my masts are 20 years old, constant curve 70%. I only buy sails that require constant curve masts, as long as I do that I'm fine.
So as long is there isn't too much sign of wear where the boom and cambers go, and as long as the mast bend curve matches your sails, there's no real reason to replace them. A new mast is just as likely to break as your old one.
Great no need to update the masts! Just thought there might have been some improvements in say construction and therefore bending/returning to optimal curvature etc but doesn't necessarily sound like it.