"My Forte mast is Fantastic. It is light and extremely strong. I have already put it through a number of tests which included two gales in the Bay of Biscay and on three different occasions have done flying gybes (thanks to autopilot malfunctions) with the spinnaker up, and each time it came through unscathed. In the Pornichet Select Race, I gybed in 30 knots of wind 2 miles from the finish with a full main and broke one of the running backstays, so no backstays on downwind...everything was okay."
__________________________
Clay Burkhalter
Team Acadia
2007 ~ Mini Transat ~ 12th Place Finish
Clay is the first American to finish and rank in the top 20
in the MiniTransat's 30 year history.


"Guys,

Thanks for the awesome new mast for Strummer. It's made a huge difference; she's a much better boat, definitely stiffer and faster. We took 2nd (Class IV) in this year's (2007) Bermuda 1-2. Lots of days in the 25-30 knot range. No problems with the rig at all."
__________________________
Louis Meyer
Strummer ~ Hinkley Pilot 35
Stonington, CT

"Henry Bossett of North Sails & Clint Rand of Forte RTS
  
Henry & Clint,

I raced my boat against five Lasers last night.  Now that I have more practice with the new sail and rig I am faster on all points of sail.  On broad reaches, it's not even close.  My standard for success with my project was to outperform the Laser.  I couldn't be happier with the sail and mast and the increase in performance the combination provides.

The new mast in combination with the new sail adds an unexpected and enjoyable sensation of smoothness and balance.  I don't understand why it happens, but it is unmistakably better.  The best way that I can describe it is it's like a "shock absorber" has been installed on the rig.
 
I love it!

Thank you both for your contributions to this excellent result."
__________________________
Paul Sydor
Holly Springs, NC

"Hi Michele,

I would like to thank you, Tony and all the crew at Forte for the great service and
excellent product.  As you know, we were without a supplier for a mast, sprit and
spinnaker pole for the new Rocket, and your company was the only one with a “can do!!”attitude.  Right from helping us to pick the correct mandrel, creating the laminate schedule, to helping us construct the first mast, you went beyond the call of duty.  We were nervous that the mast would be too stiff, and had lots of “nay sayers”, but when we set the rig up and went for our first sail, it was just what we were looking for!!"

Keep up the great work!!
__________________________
Alan Barnes
Sailing Director, Rocket Boats
Vancouver, B.C.


"The Melges 17 is the latest addition to the Melges Performance Sailboats family of high performance, one design products.  All 17 feet of this streamlined racer is geared for speed, from its supermodel profile to its 16 lb carbon fiber spar made by Forte.  We demanded the toughest, most durable lightweight carbon fiber spar available for this guaranteed edge-of-your-seat racing boat.  Forte exceeded our expectations in every way, from their top-shelf customer service and reasonable price to, most importantly, their superior product."
__________________________
Harry Melges, III
President, Melges Performance Sailboats
Zenda, Wisconsin

"Forte’s innovative folks are great to work with and their poles are incredible. Layline has ordered over 220 spinnaker poles from Forte since 2003 and not one has broken!"
__________________________
Henry Mallard
Sales Manager
Layline Yachting Equipment
Buford, GA

"Strong, light and fairly priced ~ a good value!  That's what our clients tell us about their Forte poles.  And we appreciate having a reliable source of spinnaker poles to meet our clients' expectations."
__________________________
Lisa Vizzini
Owner, Port Townsend Rigging
Port Townsend, WA


"I have been using Forte RTS tiller extensions for my 49er for over five years. They are exactly what we need for top level Olympic performance in the 49er – light, strong, and perfectly balanced for easy handling and quick maneuvers. The whole team at Forte RTS is easy to work with and have helped develop the best product for our needs in Olympic 49er competition."
__________________________
Pete Spaulding
US Olympic Sailing Team – Athens 2004


"The carbon mast built for Pierce Brockman’s 29’ “Sweep” is a dream! The loss of weight aloft improves performance in so many ways. Less heel, less pitching moment, ease of adjusting sail shape. Forte did a wonderful job, too.  Both in spec'ing out the right section and wall size, as well as providing all the standing rigging and spreaders, lights etc.  I highly recommend using Forte to all my design clients." 
__________________________
Antonio Dias
Antonio Dias Design
Narragansett, RI


"Before and during the 2002/2003 Around Alone race, we broke every type and every brand of sail batten you can imagine. This is one thing about Ocean Planet's unstayed ("freestanding") mast, that it is very tough on battens.  However, for the end of the Around Alone and for the Vendee, we are using custom braided S-glass/carbon fiber battens by Forte...Forte battens are incredible, and it is so nice not to have to worry about battens anymore."
__________________________        
Bruce Schwab
Ocean Planet: Open 60
(email from aboard Ocean Planet, after rounding Cape Horn)
Vendee Globe 2004/2005


"Bruce Schwab here from Ocean Planet. Thought I should let you know that so far on OP we've tried RBS Battens, Powerex, C-Tech, and the custom ones designed by Ted Van Dusen/Built by Tony De Lima (Forte). We only had three done by Ted/Tony, but they were the crucial top three in our mainsail, and they were the ONLY BATTENS we've tried there that didn't break. They're lighter too.  I'll be getting a whole set from Forte for the Vendee Globe. Based upon my experience so far, I wouldn't dare try the race with anything else."
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Bruce Schwab
Ocean Planet: Open 60
Around Alone Race 2002/2003


"Good morning,

My name is Pete Spaulding.  In 2004, Wes McMichael helped Tim Wadlow and I design a tiller extension for our 49er Olympic Sailing and we went on and used your tillers in the 2004 Olympic Games.  They were an incredible product; strong, light and balanced.  

Just a few months ago I began sailing 49ers competitively again with a new teammate, Morgan Larson.  We are gearing up for the 2008 Games in China and are interested in having you build more tillers.  

Do you have the specs from the tillers you build in 2004? Is it possible for you to build 10-12 more?

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you."
__________________________
Pete Spaulding
2004 U.S.A Olympic Sailing Team – 49er
2000-2006 Member U.S. Sailing Team