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.
While Europe is creaking under the pressure of the Corona Virus outbreak Ceilidh Composite Technologies, like all companies, has taken certain measures to ensure the well being of their staff and customers. The current protocol includes a partial shut-down where we accept customer visits by appointment only. We take every precaution with the health of our staff, and advise them not to come to work if they are showing any symptoms of flu (common cold) or the virus.
Unfortunately this does result in delays with manufacturing and finishing, but we will do our best to meet preferred delivery dates, subject to availability of materials and parts from our suppliers.
The factory is full of work at the moment and our order books remain healthy for this time of the year as can be seen from the amount of masts in finishing!
Ceilidh Composite Technologies will be presenting the new Merlin Rocket mast profile during the RY Dinghy Show 2020. Together with our colleagues at Synergy Marine, who are presenting their new OK dinghy, staff will be available during the weekend to discuss all aspects of carbon masts.
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.
Due to increased requests, Ceilidh now produces a suitable gooseneck bolt system for the OK Dinghy masts. Manufactured from stainless steel parts, the bolt is simple to place and tighten and can be locked safely so that it never falls off at the wrong moment. For further enquiries, refer to our webshop.
Ceilidh Composite Technologies is currently installing a new CNC bed to expand the plug and mould making capacities. The new machine which will be used to mill smaller moulds, parts and carbon plates has working dimensions of 1600mm x 800mm x 120mm. Together with the recently implemented 3D CAD drawing capabilities it will be possible to visualise new products and make mockups during product development. While this CNC bed is relatively small the plan is to test the suitability within the factory workflow before considering upgrading to a larger installation.
Ceilidh Composite Technologies produces round flagpoles in various different lengths (1000/1200/1500mm) and diameters (25/30mm). Each flagpole is clear coated. The poles are delivered with a ‘Delrin’ plug to suit your flagpole holder. The sleek design is sure to complement the stern of your boat.
Recently a C-Tech FD mast was dropped off by a Dutch sailor for some repair work after a windy race. Below the pictures of the mast before and after repairs. By sleeving the two sections together and then removing the damaged layers one-for-one the mast can be repaired with little or no change to the bending characteristics.
Together with team Jumbo-Visma and Pontis Engineering Ceilidh Composite Technologies has produced a special handle bar for their time trial bikes.
The new handlebars bring a 25% decrease in weight and increased aerodynamic performance. This setup was used by Primož Roglič with great succes, winning the 2019 La Vuelta time trial.
With 3D printed plugs (mother forms) Ceilidh utilized their short run mould concept to manufacture the parts. With 2 iterations of the design to increase strength and ‘countability’ the extensions incorporate thin stainless steel plates in way of bolts for fixation, and are hollow to enable placement of gear cables .
For an article and short clip by team Jumbo-Visma, check here
Finn World Champion Zsombor Berecz, from Hungary, has secured the Ready Steady Tokyo Olympic Test Event, with a day to spare after sealing victory on Wednesday in Enoshima, Japan. Nicholas Heiner, from The Netherlands, move up to second, while Giles Scott, from Britain drops to third to set up a three way fght for bronze and silver with Andy Maloney from New Zealand. The race wins on Wednesday went to Alican Kaynar, from Turkey, and Ondrej Teply, from Czech Republic.
The forecast for the day was generally for a light onshore wind, with a lot of low cloud around all morning. The wind remained fairly light and unstable all day with frequent position changes throughout the fleet.
Kaynar made the best of the first upwind in Race 9 to lead throughout for a comfortable victory from Berecz who rounded in sixth and Maloney, who made the comeback of the day from 20th at the first mark.
The final opening series race, Race 10, got even harder with some big swings. Teply rounded first and led all the way. Berecz had the opportunity to close the series there and then and had worked his way up to fourth, before a rare mistake left him on the wrong side of a big shift. Fortunately for him Scott was still behind him.
Teply went on to win from Anders Pedersen, from Norway and Heiner. Berecz crossed in 12th and with Scott back in 16th, Berecz had won the regatta with a race to spare.
Kaynar has made hard work of this week, so the race win was something of a relief after a high scoring week.
“I started the week very badly. I had quite big results in the first four races and after that I tried to do better and I had some problems with the downwinds, so lost some points there, but then I found my rhythm and moved up to seventh position. I am not so happy with my results, but I think it is positive to have some good results.”
“Today, in the first race I was on the right side and I got some good pressure and finally I had a good downwind and could extend, and I managed to finish first. I was also on the right in the second race, but it didn’t pay off. There was a big shift in the left and I came up quite last.”
“It’s a tricky venue. There is a lot of current and one day we had an offshore wind, so I think it is going to be hard at the Games.”
It has been a challenging week for all sailors, not least because of the heat but also the wind conditions. This is obvious when looking at the results with most sailors having results up and down the fleet. One thing is sure about Enoshima – finding anything resembling consistency is going to be hard, even for the best sailors. To win here you are going to have to be your best, every day. That is what is remarkable about Berecz’s performance, only two results outside the top three.
Berecz has hardly put a foot wrong this week. He was almost lost for words at the magnitude of his victory.
“Today it was classic sea breeze conditions. In the first race we had 7-8 knots. I had good start and good tactics and I managed to finish second. In the second race I was also there but there was a huge left shift which mixed up the game a bit, but not enough and I secured my first place before tomorrow.”
“I am thrilled with my performance this week and it’s good to know, because this was my big regatta, that we can do very good preparation by ourselves, so we are on a good track and I am very happy for us.”
“Definitely the best regatta I had was last year when I won the worlds, but this one is over that. I had such a great week, such great days, I was sharp all week and this is probably the best regatta of my life that I could manage to put together. I am speechless actually because I am very surprised and very happy that we can achieve this.”
Ready Steady Tokyo will conclude on Thursday with the medal race. It will be a fight between Heiner, Scott and Maloney – three of the best performers all year – for the other medals.
Results after Day 5 1 HUN 40 Zsombor Berecz 24 2 NED 89 Nicholas Heiner 47 3 GBR 41 Giles Scott 48 4 NZL 61 Andy Maloney 57 5 GRE 77 Ioannis Mitakis 73 6 NOR 1 Anders Pedersen 75 7 TUR 21 Alican Kaynar 81 8 BRA 109 Jorge Zarif 86 9 ESP 26 Joan Cardona Mendez 88 10 FRA 112 Jonathan Lobert 88
Ready Steady Tokyo, the Olympic test event is a series of 10 opening series races from Saturday 17, August to Wednesday 21, August. The top 10 will then sail the medal race on Thursday 22 August.
