For a 63 kg rider is it optimal to get the recommended mast for my sail, or go for a softer mast?
I reckon the average windsurfer is more like 75-80 kg and most gear is probably designed for that.
Thanks

I am 68kg and always go for the shortest mast that is recommended for the sail. Eg if a sail had a recommendation for either a 370 with 32 on the extension or a 400 with 2 on the extension I will always use the 370 even though I have both. I never use a shorter mast than recommended though and use an oversize extension. The "softer" mast always feels nicer for us lighter guys I recon.

If the sail will take a shorter, softer mast ( you don't end up with an excessively long extension) then yes it probably will be better for you.

Depends on what kind of a sail you're talking about too. free ride/camless sails you can mix it up a bit I reckon.

Race sails I'd only ever use the recommended. It can adversely affect the way they work, even if the same brand.

im about your weight, the most noticeable difference I've experienced is when pumping the sail to get on the plane. You can feel the piece of spaghetti above you with a softer mast.

I was wondering about that..
My 5m overdrive requires a 400cm mast but due to finances I run it on a 430 ( it's a 2009 prototype turban top) and I'm sure it doesn't twist off as much as I'd like/ need. As it's also my strong wind ( 25k-30kts ) sail I probably should get a shorter mast. The only problem will be how to know if a modern serverne mast will suit such an early model sail.

Usually yes, for lighter sailor, softer mast tend to open more the sail and forgive more. However, some of my Elite was working better with longer and stiffer mast even if I'm only 70Kg. Right now I'm on taka3...and I tend to prefer them with recommend and softer, but not stiffer. I do know one pro slalom sailors that take stiffer mast than recommended than recommended on certain size sail...based on his gps. I also know a very good slalom/FreeRace sailor, 90Kg and some of his sail feels better with softer mast and some with harder and some with the recommended over the years. So in theory yes...on the terrain...not always I guess.

I can't see how softer is better because stiffness is related to the percentage of carbon in the mast. Some sails feel soft because they are designed that way so I am presuming that the optimum is to use the best components in the rig. Perhaps softness is related to weight, so would a carbon boom provide a more balanced feel? It is definitely stiffer than an aluminium one, so the feel would alter. Any other ideas? I am not the expert, just having my two cents worth :-)

i think using the correct recommended mast is the best option .

most sail companies have done the test and research already .

if it becomes too powerful for you ,apply more downhaul ...this will throw the
extra kgs of air you don't need out of the sail..

all said and done ..if you like soft and very forgiving mast .
i suggest a 90-100% RDM....they are very forgiving .

i did talk to David EZZY on this subject ..(email)
he said any thing longer than a 22-25 extension ,setting
you will loose some potential of the sail.

doesn't mean it won't work though
it was a good answer .

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sboardcrazy said..
I was wondering about that..
My 5m overdrive requires a 400cm mast but due to finances I run it on a 430 ( it's a 2009 prototype turban top) and I'm sure it doesn't twist off as much as I'd like/ need. As it's also my strong wind ( 25k-30kts ) sail I probably should get a shorter mast. The only problem will be how to know if a modern serverne mast will suit such an early model sail.

If severne haven't changed the bend curve since 2009 any mast from then till now should work. Give them a call to find out. Any 400 mast with similar curve would be better than the 430. It will make a huge difference. Check the unifiber bend graph and look out for a cheapy that will suit.

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i did talk to David EZZY on this subject ..(email)
he said any thing longer than a 22-25 extension ,setting
you will loose some potential of the sail.

doesn't mean it won't work though
it was a good answer .

My last year Elite 5.7 required a part 400 and a part 430 with 24 extension. I always loved it with the full 430 (stiffer)

i have a NP evo8 7.8 and was recommanded from a pro racer to ride it with a stiffer 490 than the recommanded 460. Extension is 33-34 for the 460.
So that extension rule of thumb might be true.

I borrowed a carbon extender not extension once to increase the length of my mast.

The performance was shocking!

On a 45cm extension - I would not use more than 25-30 cm.

Using near max on your extension,the forces at the very base of the extension are very high.

Ive seen extensions sheer off where the aluminium extension meets the plastic bottom part.

I forgot to bring my 430 cm mast to rig up my TR8 Maui 6.6 and used a 460 instead.

It rigged fuller with less twist. It overpowered so easily,so I ended up giving it huge downhaul which solved the problem.

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I forgot to bring my 430 cm mast to rig up my TR8 Maui 6.6 and used a 460 instead.

It rigged fuller with less twist. It overpowered so easily,so I ended up giving it huge downhaul which solved the problem.

I never used a mast extension(glad it's working well!!)
I always had the recommanded mast for the sail(except my 3.4) but 34cm mast extension is the recommandation from Neil Pryde. Now, did you feel the sail was better with the 460?

I try to avoid sails that require 30cm+ extensions.

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Yves said..
I try to avoid sails that require 30cm+ extensions.

Well, too bad for you because that NP Evo 8 is a beast!! Lol

but I agree, seems more a question of trying selling mast than optimal rigging?

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rogerswin said..

sboardcrazy said..
I was wondering about that..
My 5m overdrive requires a 400cm mast but due to finances I run it on a 430 ( it's a 2009 prototype turban top) and I'm sure it doesn't twist off as much as I'd like/ need. As it's also my strong wind ( 25k-30kts ) sail I probably should get a shorter mast. The only problem will be how to know if a modern serverne mast will suit such an early model sail.

If severne haven't changed the bend curve since 2009 any mast from then till now should work. Give them a call to find out. Any 400 mast with similar curve would be better than the 430. It will make a huge difference. Check the unifiber bend graph and look out for a cheapy that will suit.

Thanks. I'll chase it up when the time comes..