Using the very latest technology, Proctor’s new spar range brings to the dinghy world carbon profiled spars that herald a new dawn in the design of production carbon rigs.

Proctor’s new carbon spars are currently being used on the Musto Skiff, and are about to create quite a stir in the Open Class fleets such as the Phantom, Merlin Rocket and International Canoe. Like wood and alloy previously, initial attempts at spar manufacture took place with round tubes, where technology quickly allowed masts to evolve into profiled sections.

Step Down System
"A ‘step-down’ tapered topmast system, where the compression loads in a rig change immediately above the hound and/or trapeze point, has also been built in to each spar to provide ultimate mast tip control."The topmast will automatically respond through gusts and lulls, as opposed to the mast hinging around the hound point and producing an unbalanced rig - as typically occurs with traditional alloy rigs."

Chips goes on to explain, "no more ‘fighting’ the boat through the gusts and lulls, the topmast will work to your advantage allowing the boat to effortlessly accelerate through every gust. Computer controlled automated laminate lay up under controlled tensions gives Selden a level of tube consistency unattainable via any other composite tube manufacturing technique. Hence, the mast you buy will perform exactly the same as the World Champions!"

Materials
Only the highest-grade pre-preg tows of T700 or TZ carbon fibre are used to offer the sailor the best stiffness to weight spar, and with filament winding, the lowest resins to fibre content pre-preg can be used.

The aerospace grade pre-preg has a UV stabiliser within the resin system to give the spars a guaranteed long life, even in the sunniest of climates. In addition to the spar section, a custom-made track has been shaped to extend the profile. It is extruded from a highly advanced plastic that offers excellent heat & UV stability, and very high wear resistance.

Filament Control
The alignment of composite fibres is central to the performance characteristics of the spar. Filament winding is a computer controlled process (CNC), guaranteeing consistent and accurate fibre orientation from spar to spar. Fibres can be laid down in a series of layers ranging from 0º (unidirectional) to 89º (hoop). This allows the designer huge scope for tailoring the main and topmast section characteristics. The fibres are also laid under tension, which enables us to provide the most efficient material choice and the lightest spars on the market.