My Newbridge Coromandel, Tammy Norie, has a hinged mast that I've strengthened myself, and I'm planning to enter the offshore Jester Challenge. I crossed the North Sea with it last week. I suppose that tells you that I have a reasonable amount of faith in mine.

But hinged masts vary, and I can't endorse yours, or make statements about them in general. You should look very carefully at the mechanism and assess how it might fail.

Michael Moore wrote:

I'm looking at yet another JR boat, (still don't have one!) this time a 21footer with a hinged mast. Are these masts realy safe? To me they look flimsy.

Henry Piggot's Glory has a hinged mast.  This 19 footer has completed one circumnavigation and numerous other ocean passages.  I seem to remember he has a Needlespar hinge.

I'm looking at yet another JR boat, (still don't have one!) this time a 21footer with a hinged mast. Are these masts realy safe? To me they look flimsy.