Was reading recently about using a softer mast to give a sail a higher upper wind range and subsequent more control, because the softer mast will allow more twist off in gusts.
Example: 6.6 Cam'd freerace sail is listed to use a 460 Imcs 25, however my 430 Imcs 21 extension set at 36 could be used.

Has anyone got any thoughts on this?

Wouldn't the extension, which hopefully doesn't bend at all, stiffen the mast curve up overall? From what I've read here most people seem to be talking about reduced diameter masts softening up the feel of a sail.

Using a softer mast does give more control in higher winds.

It not only bends more creating more twist but will bend more in line with the luff curve of the sail making it flatter in profile.

Not nessecarily more range but better control in stronger winds.

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stanly said...

Was reading recently about using a softer mast to give a sail a higher upper wind range and subsequent more control, because the softer mast will allow more twist off in gusts.
Example: 6.6 Cam'd freerace sail is listed to use a 460 Imcs 25, however my 430 Imcs 21 extension set at 36 could be used.

Has anyone got any thoughts on this?

For that reason I've been told as a lighter person using my 6.6m KA Koncept with my 430 mast + 35 cm extension will be better than using a 460cm which will be stiffer.

I did this with the 2011 NP Atlas 5.8 . If rigged on a 400 mast with 32 cm extension it gave the sail a very nice soft feel. IMHO this improved the handling of a sail this size for wave sailing a lot.

Sadly the extension started developing a slight bend after a summers worth of sailing and had to be replaced.

The 2012 Atlas seems to be using shorter (softer masts) across the entire range. The result is the sails feel a lot softer while still developing a lot of power.

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stehsegler said...

I did this with the 2011 NP Atlas 5.8 . If rigged on a 400 mast with 32 cm extension it gave the sail a very nice soft feel. IMHO this improved the handling of a sail this size for wave sailing a lot.

Sadly the extension started developing a slight bend after a summers worth of sailing and had to be replaced.

i have the same setup (but with billows 100% mast) i was considering getting a 430 mast for those lighter days instead of getting a 6.2. have you tried a 430 and do you think its worth it for what i am trying to achieve?

i am using a carbon extension which is less prone to bending but probably more prone to snapping... its a 34cm extn so theres not much inside the mast...

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stringer said...
i have the same setup (but with billows 100% mast) i was considering getting a 430 mast for those lighter days instead of getting a 6.2. have you tried a 430 and do you think its worth it for what i am trying to achieve?

I wouldn't bother with a 6.2. I don't think it will give you that much more range and if anything handling is much worse due to the longer boom.

From what I can tell the 430 does make it a lot stiffer but doesn't add that much early planing advantage. Maybe it's just me but I actually found the 400 to work much better.

They removed the 400 recommendation for the 2012 Atlas. But when I contacted Neil Pryde asking them why they did I was told it was mainly because they didn't think the sail performed to their liking.

I am wondering if another reason is because they had too many extensions being bent or braking.

Having now used both the 5.8 and 5.4 2012 Atlas there seems to be quite a big difference. The 5.4 with the 400 mast feels more like a 5.0 .

The 5.8 on the other hand feels a bit too stiff again with the 430. Just like last year. I might try it with a 400 next time I use it.

I have noticed that you can get a nice springy pump going with the 5.8/400 combo to get on the plane. I will stick with the 400 on the 5.8

agreed on the 6.2

i think i need a 5.0 now because the gap between the 5.4 and 4.7 is too huge

Many of the better sailors are now using tip extensions made from old broken masts,this can soften the sail big-time.

I used a 7.8m with a 15cm tip extension and the sail felt like i can hold it in much stronger wind. Used the same size sail few days ago with no tip extension,it felt heavier,albeit it did have less downhaul.

Perhaps these tip extensions are the reason why so many are able to get top-end out of big sails in strong wind?

Tried the recommended 400cm mast in my 5.7m with 33cm extension,then the 430cm mast and performance/feel was similiar,so thinking tip extensions make a larger difference than using a shorter mast.

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petermac33 said...

Many of the better sailors are now using tip extensions made from old broken masts,this can soften the sail big-time.

That's interesting Peter, I had a mate up here doing that about 15 years ago, he wasn't tall and said his sails felt better, I just thought he was dreaming He was using Sailworks slalom sails and masts at the time.