check the engraved serial numbers on top and bottom sections are the same as they are fitted at factory

May just be really worn. If so brush some epoxy resin on the male section then sand around so it is a round as possible (not lumpy) - you probably only need 0.5mm

I have a range of NP X6 and X3 masts from 400 - 490, all of them are snug, very snug, a couple of them, there certainly is no movement I would describe as 'play'.

I have no advice for you, just letting you know.

Got two X-Combats and they fit very, very snug

Mark's fix would be worth a go

Had a 2011 X3 430 as my first mast and it fitted very snug, i actually had to sand the join a little to make it go together all the way. I upgraded to a new X6 430 (also 2011) and noticed at the shop that the join was much looser. I checked 2 other new X6 masts because it concerned me and they were all the same and obviously the tops and bottoms were paired correctly according to the numbers. If i hold the mast around the join and shake the mast i can feel a slight knocking. I haven't had any problems with the mast but i do get a little bit of black on my towel when i wipe the mast around the join after i seperate it before i put it away. Maybe it's just an X6 thing. I also tape my join so no sand gets in it and so it doesn't come apart when i'm pulling it out of the sail due to the clearance.

lao shi said...

Not a pryde mast but my powerex skinny has always been a loose fit. Done 1000's of Km and still going.

yeah all my powerex skinnys are sloppy jaloppy from new, and their the best masts I've used + you know their gonna come apart after a sesh