Hike Meaning in Sailing

A hollow spar represents a mast, boom, or gaff that is built with a hollow center rather than being a solid piece of wood or metal. This design significantly reduces the weight of the rig ‘aloft,’ which improves the boat’s stability and reduces its tendency to roll in the waves. Modern masts are almost exclusively hollow aluminum or carbon fiber extrusions with internal channels for wires and ropes. One specific example involves a traditional boat builder gluing together several strips of spruce to create a strong but lightweight hollow mast. Reducing weight high up allows the boat to carry more sail area safely. While lighter, a hollow spar must be carefully engineered to handle the massive compression loads from the rigging. It is a primary goal of rig design to maximize strength while minimizing the weight above the deck.