rotating masts

Organically grown..like on a hydroponic table utilising fungi myceliium as a carbon

The mast doesn't bend equally in every direction, so the orientation of the spar has a big effect.

Typically an overrotating mast will bend more sideways than fore and aft, which means that when the mast is over rotated leech tension will move the mast tip to windward, and consequently the mid mast to leeward. This massively reduces twist. The sideways bend of the mast will also 'use up' luff round and tend to flatten the sail

If the mast is rotated neutrally relative to the leech tension then it will be much stiffer and bend less, so the sail will be fuller, but also more twisted.

If the mast is underrotated then the top mast will bend to leeward and the whole rig will twist off.

So the amount of rotation has a huge effect on how mast bend and the leech behaves, but unfortunately its not a linear effect, which I suspect is one of the reasons why they are so tweaky. Another factor is that the amount of mast rotation for optimum mast bend characteristics in any given wind condition is almost certainly not the same as the optimum position for mast aerodynamics.

Edited by JimC - 04 May 15 at 12:56pm

Is it that difficult in todays world. The D one has a rotating mast although not an over rotating mast which I guess would be the term for what is being discussed here?
Also it flies a spinaker from it unstayed.
Maybe things could now move forward for the stayed over rotator?

Originally posted by transient Lame joke........beech nuts are otherwise known as masts.

At least I've learned something today!

Now, I believe JimC has a wooden wing mast for a Cherub. Not sure what is is made from, but I think I'd go for spruce and balsa if making one now from wood.

C class cat Lady Helmsman also had a (very large) wooden wing mast back in the late 60s. Frames and skinned in very thin ply, I think. Others were done in similar ways.

Lame joke........beech nuts are otherwise known as masts.