Twin slot tracks seems to becoming the more common system unless you are into slalom/course racing. Watched the YTube video of the PWA Tiberius and Zoo Station events. Looked like the PWA competitors are using deep tuttle mast mounts. So which is the "better" system when it comes to a solid and durable connection? Twin slots from my ignorant perspective looks to be the "better" system. More flexibility in positioning the foil wing, maybe larger area to distribute the load.

My guess is that the deep tuttle is probably more durable, but the versatility of tracks is a big advantage. This way you can position the lift where you want, you can switch wings without needing to adjust straps and mast base. Tuttle might be a little easier to rig the foil

Tuttle stiffer, and allows foil mast to be way back from front wing, stable in straights.

Mast tracks distribute the load over a wider area than tuttle, so they can be "more durable". But that requires that they are put in right, and have a good connection to the top deck, which is not always the case. If mast tracks are just put into the bottom without proper reinforcements, they can be pulled out, or create creases at the front of the tracks (similar to what many have seen with the Powerplate adapter). One particular strength advantage the mast tracks have is that they use 4 screws further outside, rather than 2 screws more to the center. At the PWA races in Israel, one foiler had a spectacular crash when one of the two tuttle screws broke. That seems to be quite rare, though.

One advantage of the tuttle box that may matter for racing is weight. Even a reinforced foil box is lighter than a single mast track. A board with properly reinforced and installed tracks is probably a pound heavier than a tuttle board. In slalom boards, that makes a big difference when trying to get going. Not sure if that's the same in foiling, but board weight probably matters, and races are lost in light wind when you can't pump onto the foil as quickly as others (as Mateo Iachino saw at the finals on Lake Silvaplana a year or two ago).

Another pro of the tuttle is that the mast is always put in the board straight. With tracks you always have to take great care to mount the foil completely straight.

I heard if you jump and land the wing flat on the water you can rip the mast track out of the board, have not heard of that happening with a deep tuttle box.

Seen a 125 lbs. 16 year old rip front screw out of a tuttle box board doing jumps. Rear screw attached, board needing extensive repair around the box, but tuttle seemed intact.
He has since switched to smaller front wings. Was riding I65. Haven't seen him since last fall.

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LeeD said..
. Was riding I65. Haven't seen him since last fall.

maybe you should've checked, could've been a bad fall !

It's called Autumn last time I checked...
Weight is also in Kg, not lbs, volume in Ltr, not fluid ounces (African or European swallow there) and length in cm/m not ft/in.
Maybe Laurie can create an auto converter.

Checked what?
His rear screw held the mast on the board, the glass around the front screw destroyed.
He did maybe 20 jumps I saw, most around 8' high....his foil 8' high.
I think he was Al Mirel's son, but I didn't ask.

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LeeD said..
Checked what?
His rear screw held the mast on the board, the glass around the front screw destroyed.
He did maybe 20 jumps I saw, most around 2.4m high....his foil 2.4m high.
I think he was Al Mirel's son, but I didn't ask.

fixed it for you.

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LeeD said..
Checked what?

if he didn't hurt himself on his last fall !

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westozwind said..
It's called Autumn last time I checked...
Weight is also in Kg, not lbs, volume in Ltr, not fluid ounces (African or European swallow there) and length in cm/m not ft/in.
Maybe Laurie can create an auto converter.

Was in College or as my British friends say "Unie" back in '75 when the US Congress passed the metric conversion act. Unlike the Canadians to the north we are a bit slow. We also have the US Penny. A coin that cost more to mint than the face value. Unlike our more sensible Canadian neighbors who I think stopped minting the MapleLeaf penny.

Regarding mast mounts. Anyone with any experience with the more recent Horue Tiny line that come with both twin track and deep tuttle box. Wondering, assuming Horue like with their deep tuttle box has built a mounting platform designed for the stresses of foiling. So far, impressed with the their deep tuttle box on my '18 vintage Tiny. The twin track would provide more options for foils. Would like to try out the Armstrong HS series wings if they ever come out with a longer than 70cm fuse. Looks like the latest SShot set up will not be back compatible with the HG series wings. Life, but still sort of stinks. Armstrong's "promise" for back compatibility is a big plus.

If ultimate low drag is what matters then something like tuttle will be the choice, although I think that a box which is wider with sloped sides would be better.

However for everyone not racing twin tracks are a better option.