With many of the southern hemisphere sailors that came to the 2023 OK Dinghy Worlds in Lyme Regis buying Ceilidh masts for the event last year, these masts have all been shipped back to Australia and are sharing the spoils together with masts from our colleagues at C-Tech at the Pre-Worlds 2024 that has just completed in Brisbane. Congratulations to Dave Clark who won the Pre-Worlds.
The first batch of Splash Dinghy Carbon masts has recently be delivered to the class builder. The mast is equal in performance to the aluminium masts but should not suffer from the permanent bend problems of the existing masts. Ceilidh developed the the mast exclusively for Jachtwerf Heeg who will be responsible for all sales and service enquiries. There is a quick guide for use (click here). For further information click here
As a natural development of products which utilize the 70mm x 50mm teardrop mould which Ceilidh designed for the Flying Dutchman class, the Contender dinghy seemed to be an ideal candidate for the achievable mechanical properties of this design.
Having been approached by Cicada Sails to develop a laminate schedule for the new Ceilidh Contender mast data from many of the top sailors in Europe was collated into a bend database which allows the comparison of the stiffness index both fore-aft and sideways. The different measurement systems can be combined in such a way to give a simple stiffness index which functions then as the reference for the design variations that Ceilidh can create. Please follow this link to our bend testing methods.
The prototype of the mast is finished in a similar fashion to our other stayed dinghy masts. Custom carbon detailing combined with standard fittings from Allen Brothers and Camcleats makes the finished product stand out. The foot is CNC machined from hard plastic (Delrin) and incorporates an innovative setup for the vang attachment. First testing will provide further information to finish the final development of this performance mast.
The masts are available to order in our webshop, along with spare parts as they become available. Rigging is offered separately as it will be custom made for each order. Each fully fitted mast will be supplied complete with measurement and a comprehensive bend datasheet. Please click here for a direct link to our webshop
Just prior to the COVID-19 outbreak we manufactured 3 FD masts for customers in The Netherlands and Switzerland. Unfortunately due to the lockdown restrictions we have not had too much feedback with regards to the performance, and definitely no results from regattas, however sailmaker Stephan Fels (SUI) was more than happy with his new mast, and notices the positive difference in gust response that we have been able to develop. We are pleased to announce a new collaboration with Axel Antrecht of FSA Segelsport GmbH based at the Steinhuder lake. We will be shipping two masts to him for further evaluation. Axel has ordered both a stiff mast and the new light crew reflex mast. For further information please contact our office via this link.
The past months, Ceilidh has been developing a new mast for the Merlin Rocket class. This class has an ‘open’ rule for various parts, so that new designs have the room to develop without tight restrictions.
The prototype mast is designed and manufactured in a similar fashion to all our dinghy masts, with an integrated sail track and aerodynamic ‘teardrop’ profile. This enables us to have more control over the fore-aft bending of the mast without influencing the sideways bend.
Working closely with sailors in the class it was clear that the best masts were made from High Modulus carbon with an outer diameter tube of 45mm and a bare weight of 4,6 to 4,8kg.
By using the teardrop section it is possible to increase the lateral stiffness due to surface area while reducing the outer diameter of the mast, thus making the mast more streamlined with less windage. The section has a width of 40mm, 10% smaller than all other masts, while still coming in a a meagre 4,52kg bare weight – Lighter and thinner!
The stiffness is in the same ballpark as other designs but there is still room for increasing the stiffness if required. First the mast will be tested to see if our concept generates the expected performance.
The sections will be most suited to a range of classes and a profile has also been commissioned to use as a gaff spar on a classic racer.
The initial batch of masts will retail at €3200,00 including VAT ex. works in The Netherlands. Shipment to the UK is about €150,00 €240,00 (post Brexit) including VAT and customs handling. For further information please contact our offices or get in touch with Andy Davis at HD Sails who has assisted us with the details and specs of the mast.
