Mast Over Rotation? Problem for Racing?

Hi All,

Ive got an 88 16 thats got very worn mast stops on both the mast and the crossbar cup. This has to affecting my sail shape and therefore power and pointing ability right?
Ive read that on boats with mast rotation control, over-rotating the mast will shift the draft back from 30-40% forward to further back, de-powering the rig. Thats good, if thats what you want at the time, but if my stops on the 16 have the mast going almost to 85+ degrees, I cant be at max power Im thinking. Im a big guy and usually race overweight so underpowered and under-pointing sounds like the kiss of death. Is it worth it to switch both out, or maybe just one? Does anyone ever file down the stops on new boats to get a little more?

Thanks all and happy sailing!

_________________
Blair T

I love these calm moments before the storm, it reminds me of Beethoven...


'02 Hobie Tiger USA 1152

Nobody files down their mast stops anymore. Overrotation does de-power the rig.

You can try to build the stops back up (welding), but you're probably better off getting a new mast step and base. The new mast steps have much beefier stops that don't wear down.