Is it possible to have a dud mast? I have a 460 well known brand which I rig two sizes on. I can't get both to set properly , the leech is not floppy enough and not enough twist and if I down haul more it flattens the shape too much and still the leech is not loose enough and not enough twist. I have smaller sizes same brand and model using smaller masts and they both rig well.

Could the mast be too still or a dud?

Is it the same year as your sails?

From what you decribe, it is possible that the mast is either too soft overall, or is too much a 'hard top' bend curve, more likely the latter.

The best way to find out is to borrow and try rigging on another mast that is the correct nominal specification.

if the masts and sails are of the same brand -then this issue is very unusual
unless masts and sails are from different years - as suggested
like MauiSails who went from hard top to CC in 2014

i have a SW Retro
Bruce Peterson suggested that a my hard top mast would be better than my NP flex top
really did NOT like that setup with the MauiSails 490 mast
tried the flextop and it was a little better
busted the bottom of my NP and bought older NP CC mast
that was the best combo on that SW Retro

for my HSM Speedfreak I use the NP CC bottom and NP flexy top

joewindsurfer.blogspot.com/2008/07/masts.html


the HH on the sail is a repair and has nothing to do with Helly Hanson

and with a pic like that - there will be no comments about lawn care ...

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Sparky said..
Is it the same year as your sails?

no one sail 2014, another sail 2017 and mast not sure

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Little Jon said..

Sparky said..
Is it the same year as your sails?

no one sail 2014, another sail 2017 and mast not sure

Are the mast and sails the same brand?

For example, if you have NP sails only NP, some older Tushingham and Unifiber flextop masts work. All other brands are to stiff.

Plus a photo of the rigged sails does wonders. It might well be that it's not the mast or sail but the way you rig the sails.

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Little Jon said..

Sparky said..
Is it the same year as your sails?

no one sail 2014, another sail 2017 and mast not sure

Measure the bend curve. Ie test it , then borrow something either side of what you have

I'll bet it's an older NP mast ?

I would say I know this issue. I have a 7.2m Neil Pryde RS Slalom from 2008/09. The original X9 masts used to break easily so eventually the 460 X9 mast broke. I've since replaced it with an FX100 mast but noticed no matter how much downhaul is applied the twist never gets below the two battens above the boom. The tip of the sail gets overly floppy. Will have to post a photo one day. It can be felt when sailing in gusty overpowered conditions moreso.