Maybe that is why I do not win the big races.!!! I thought the partners caused the mast to bend at the deck and not below. I have not thought what that advantage would be. The Etchells class has adjustments of the partners and evidently it helps some. I realize the class feels it is best to maximize the J measuremet,and forestay length but in high winds the forestay might want to be shortened. With the spartite I cannot adjust the partners. To answer the previous question the spartite is a cast plastic which can be removed with the mast and replaced when the mast goes in. My hull #27 and the earlier J-30s had a larger mast partner than the later models. the mast boot fits over an aluminum cover that then fits over the partners. I am not sure if the aluminum cover is factory issue or previous owner customizing.
