I just received a new Loft 6.8 Switchblade (thanks Bud and Matt ) and so far using the two 430's I already have which are both SDMs a Neil Pryde freeride and a new North Platinum I haven't be able to achieve the recommended downhaul for fear of breaking my masts.
I know RDMs are the recommended mast for this sail but apparently they'll work with SDMs
Without using all the recommended downhaul the sail's twisted off, the leech has gone way floppy and it looks rigged properly, is it possible the sail will work on these masts or not ?
I used a 5.9 Maui Sails TR6 recently on that same Neil Pryde mast and the same deal, but I was able to get the downhaul although it flattened the sail too much according to my mate who's an avid Maui sails user and he suggested letting off the downhaul to get the necessary draft to give the sail the grunt I need
I'm 100kgs I need grunt
I don't necessarily want to buy any more masts or extensions/bases I've got enough gear already
I just want to go sailing
Any helpful advice will be taken onboard

Hi Curly the North should work fine its very close the the Loft mast specs.
The Pryde should still work but will leave the leach more open which will be better for top end but you will lose some bottom end.

i rigged blades on pryde x6's which did not suit at all, i imagine switchblade curve be similar. Saw a switchblade rigged on naish sdm today, looked good. Switchblades suit rdm also- rdm's tend to be slightly stiffer top than base so pryde & north mast tend to be at opposite end being softer top.

Don't know what your other sails use, if possible sell your 430's & get a loft mast, if you get 430 rdm you get a better handling sail at slight expense of bottom end, some say stability but im 110kg+ & only use rdm's in both race and wavesails.

i haven't seen a mast snap from downhaul alone, carbon shears at 90 deg curve, sails no where near that.

Select to expand quote

mkseven said..

i rigged blades on pryde x6's which did not suit at all, i imagine switchblade curve be similar. Saw a switchblade rigged on naish sdm today, looked good. Switchblades suit rdm also- rdm's tend to be slightly stiffer top than base so pryde & north mast tend to be at opposite end being softer top.

Don't know what your other sails use, if possible sell your 430's & get a loft mast, if you get 430 rdm you get a better handling sail at slight expense of bottom end, some say stability but im 110kg+ & only use rdm's in both race and wavesails.

Im not sure that he needs to buy another mast, Ive used a 430 Loft SDM in a 6.8 Switchblade worked fine.
The North Sdm should work fine as stated on the North website.
of coase if he wants to be 100% sure get a loft mast.

it'd be better than pryde curve. sdm prob preferable for most, mentioned rdm for compatibility with smaller sails, strength & price.

Hi Curly, I have been using a north mast SDM on my switchblade 6.3m and it has been working well! I am also over 100 kgs and need grunt, I used this set up last Sunday in 25 knots+ and did a 38.9 - 2 sec peak and 36.3 - 5x10! Very stoked with how it all worked.

I'd be surprised if you did't have cam rotation problems on a Pryde mast.
They are not only softer in the top but stiffer in the bottom than Loft masts.

Hey guys thanks a lot for your opinions and advice
I appreciate it
I once broke a Neil Pryde Race Pro top rigging a Sailworks Retro
It was never going to rig properly on that mast
I sold the sail and replaced the top and I'm still using that mast which is my most frequently used one
I sail a 9.5 or 8.5 most of the time ( northern Sydney dole drums )
I've witnessed a few X9s snap by mates rigging Pryde race/speed sails with those little winches
So I'm wary

May I pose to you the question that if a mast won't easily achieve it's specified luff length because it's not on the recommended mast for it
Can it still work well enough if the draft and twist are acceptable?
Does a new sail to stretch in ?

I normally use and have for years, Ezzy Infinitys which seem to rig well on Pryde masts and have served me well
Though nowadays I'm trying out different brands to compare with what I've been using including not only the 6.8 Loft Switchblade but also Maui Sails Titan 7.5 of which I have the right mast for a 30% 460 and two Hot Sails 2013 GPS's of which I have an 8.8 and a 7.3 which I was going to rig on my Pryde masts although I do have a loft 490 that I also recently acquired.

Is a Loft mast better for a Hot Sails GPS than a Pryde mast ?