AG PLUS SPARS IS OPENING A NEW 2,000M2 CARBON MAST FACTORY
The company AG+ Spars designs, assembles, and markets sailboat masts.
As evidence, for the past 20 years, AG+ Spars masts have been world champions in 420, 470, Formula 18, Olympic gold medalists in 2.4mR, as well as winners of the Transquadra, Mini Transat 650, and numerous IRC races.
Building on this expertise and experience, it was logical to continue the company’s development by launching a range of carbon masts. This material has become essential in offshore racing in recent years.
Acquired in 2002 by Laurent and Jean-François NEVO, both accomplished sailors, the company has been based in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée, near Rochefort (France), since 2011. AG+ Spars offers a range of products covering mast supply for sailboats ranging from the 420 dinghy to the 38-foot monohull.
With their background as sailors and especially as competitive sailors, the leaders have chosen to focus the company’s production on performance, recognized as AG+ Spars’ added value in the market.
"After several months of work to implement this project, we opened a new production unit in Rochefort (17) in early September, a 2,000m2 site entirely dedicated to the production of carbon masts. To support us in composite work, we have enlisted Alain Boucher, one of the leading specialists in the field for the past 40 years (with experience at Espace Composites, Lorima, AXXON, etc.). We have invested in a 25-meter autoclave, ensuring excellent composite quality. Our goal is to provide masts for monohull and multihull sailboats ranging from 15 to 60 feet."
Expertise and know-how
- – Structural calculations with a network of experts for the most complex projects
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– Creation of draping plans adapted to mechanical specifications and assemblies
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– Mass optimization
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– Aesthetics taken into account
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– An in-house engineering department composed of 4 people dedicated to development and custom projects
Technical resources
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– Technology used for mast production: draping on a male mold
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– Material: pre-impregnated carbon
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– Climate-controlled draping room of 500 m2
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– ITALMATIC autoclave with a 25-meter diameter and 1-meter width
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– 600 m2 assembly workshop
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– Cold storage room
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– 18-meter drying oven
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– Vacuum network
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– Range of round mandrels for tube diameters from 30 to 200 mm
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– Range of mast and boom profiles up to 50 feet
An online catalog is available on AG+ Spars where you can find masts, booms, and other products tested by our customers. For more information, please contact us.
A project? Come and meet us at METS Amsterdam from 15 to 17 November!