Hey Crew, will a carbon mast be ok in a reflective bag strapped under roof racks, if left there day in day out? Looking for ways to make my 100series cruiser more passenger friendly. (4masts, 3booms 5sails n 2boards + my Sparkin tools inside)

I would use some storm water pipe with cap ends.

Stroppo had his kilwell matrix 5 permanently on his roof unprotected for years. Mine stay on the roof in a heat lined bag, (made from curtain sun block material), and are now almost 25 years old. Still going strong, taking full downhaul load of modern speed sails, and surviving catapults that have destroyed several booms and harnesses. So yes no worries on the roof with a bit of sun protection

Never bagged my masts or boards on roof.
Always lasted as long as anyone's.
Bags contribute to heat by cutting off natural air flow.

Hey Olskool I like the storm water pipe idea maybe with mesh for airflow
Hey Decrepit bloody good masts those matrix 5

^ I've also got a mint Matrix5 460. Set aside for my 6.5 n 7.2 WildWinds slaloms. Just for the Retro days.

Pvc pipe would be good. BUT as usual im looking for something outside the square.
Beneath the Rhino bar varies from 60mm-80mm. So id like an oval shape doodad maybe 350mm wide x length of masts mounted inboard of the racks feet, lockable if possible. Dont want it to interfere with rest of rack coz all kinds of gear ends up there.
Any ideas?

You can squash PVC pipe into other shapes when hot. I tend to use a oven at 100 to mould it into shape. Try black plastic on a hot day and some weight on a small piece first

Maybe a short length of 200-300mm diameter DWV pvc heated n squashed might give me the shape I need. See what I can find in my plumber mates scrap pile.

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olskool said..
^ I've also got a mint Matrix5 460. Set aside for my 6.5 n 7.2 WildWinds slaloms. Just for the Retro days.

No need to save it for retro days, as long as they rig on constant curve, you may find your modern sails rig better on the matrix5 and there'll be less chance of a breakage.

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LeeD said..
>>>>
Bags contribute to heat by cutting off natural air flow.

Heats, not the problem, it's UV degradation of the outer resin layer. That's why masts left in sun for very long periods get furry

Had dozens of masts out in the sun for 10+ years never got furry.

I've got carbon n graphite fishing rods that show UV degradation from just 10months of total sun on my boat. (Furry) In need of a clear coat again.Hence asking the Q here.

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LeeD said..
Had dozens of masts out in the sun for 10+ years never got furry.

Thats cause you dont live in Strayla!!! We have no ozone layer.

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ka43 said..

LeeD said..
Had dozens of masts out in the sun for 10+ years never got furry.

Thats cause you dont live in Strayla!!! We have no ozone layer.

Completely agree. Have had broken carbon mast bits laying behind garden sheds in both WA & Qld. Top sun facing surfaces are always cactus after a year or two, guaranteed splinters when picking them up regardless of brand. A buddy in SW France does something similar with his old masts etc... has no issues.

I use storm pipe like Choc said, works well with standard caps, but I do tape the screw on end when doing distance. I use this with 3 masts inside, easy for travelling but honest I think in the standard mast bag would be ok.
As for boards in bags on the roof, I've dragged mine through central Aus and the Nullabor in 40c+ no drama so far.