Looking to shave some weight off my North Sails extension (PowerXT RDM 36cm aluminium)
Would it be ok to cut it down by .. lets say half?
I only use 10cm setting at most anyways.

Thanks

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gryphonas said..
Looking to shave some weight off my North Sails extension (PowerXT RDM 36cm aluminium)
Would it be ok to cut it down by .. lets say half?
I only use 10cm setting at most anyways.

Thanks

When its at full extension how much goes in the mast? Set it at 10 cm and measure the same amount above the collar. I wouldn't go any shorter than that. For the minimal amount of weight saved I wouldn't bother though.

The bulk of the weight in your extension is with the XT mechanism. Cut that off and you will save heaps of weight.

Why????????

Weigh any other RDM extension, and I think you'll find that the weight saving you're after will be pretty minimal. About as much as a wet footstrap. I like the PowerXT's too, and have a couple, but thought they felt a bit heavy. I have a Goya carbon extension also, which I thought felt lighter, so I compared the weights. The North was heavier, but there wasn't a lot of difference in it.

Otherwise, what Swindy said.

I agree the weight is negligible, and right in the centre of everything it is less noticeable too I reckon.

Do u want a free short RDM extension?

By cutting it you are manifesting a newer sail that requires a slightly longer extension.

To circumcise or not to circumcise that is the age old question

I use it for freestyle. I've weighed the extension at 745 grams together with the downhaul rope. I calculated around 250g weight savings for trimming 25cm from the top. I've factored in 10cm inside the mast at my max settings. Not gonna be using it for bigger sails.
So a quarter kilo isn't a negligible amount to lose. Just wanted to be sure I won't be running into unforeseen structural problems if i go ahead?

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gryphonas said..
I use it for freestyle. I've weighed the extension at 745 grams together with the downhaul rope. I calculated around 250g weight savings for trimming 25cm from the top. I've factored in 10cm inside the mast at my max settings. Not gonna be using it for bigger sails.
So a quarter kilo isn't a negligible amount to lose. Just wanted to be sure I won't be running into unforeseen structural problems if i go ahead?

I agree with your calcs, my np extensions are approx 1g/mm. If weight is that much of an issue for you ditch the power xt get a second hand normal carbon extension, cut it down and save 1/2 a kilo. You shouldn't need a ratchet to downhaul a freestyle sail. You wont have any structural issues as long as you don't cut too much off then its your mast that will suffer. Both extensions I have broken have been just below the collar.

Yea I like the North ratchet and would rather keep it :) shedding some dead equip wouldnt be bad..
Did your extensions break because of shortening them?
And were they alum or carbon?

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gryphonas said..
Yea I like the North ratchet and would rather keep it :) shedding some dead equip wouldnt be bad..
Did your extensions break because of shortening them?
And were they alum or carbon?

They were both Ali and both had about 7 years of good use. Neither had been cut down but both were close to full extension at the time. Probably alot more force on them with small race sails rather than wave or freestyle sails.

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing-Shop+Specials/~vhv9c/North-Xtr-Carbon-Rdm-Package-28-cm.aspx?_page=1
I have the newer version of this one 34cm and it weighs 550g. Its a good price inc the base.

You could save more weight just by making sure you drop a load before sailing, those can be heavy depending on how much you eat.

yeah - TE of a board is one kilo lighter
easier on the budget if i lose one kilo or more instead
when it comes to grams - if i stay dry .... cut my hair ... skip lunch ...

Thanks swindy, mark.
Thereis a difference between rider and equipment weight. An extra 2kg weight on you is not the same as 2kg on a board.

Iv'e cut a couple of my NP MXR, but not to save weight. Too much extension in the mast will "slightly" effect the mast curve etc.

As long as you have around 6 inches extension in the mast, the strength of the extension will be fine.

I'll be amazed if you notice any difference with the 250 grams or so weight saving. I reckon you'd feel a difference with 250 grams an the board nose/tail, but I don't think you will make any gains at the point where all the mast foot pressure goes.

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gryphonas said..
Thanks swindy, mark.
Thereis a difference between rider and equipment weight. An extra 2kg weight on you is not the same as 2kg on a board.

Yeah but there is no extra swing weight in an extension. It is barely noticeable there I reckon but hey I'm not a freestyler
Given freestyle sails are so easy to downhaul, and a XT is expensive and heavy compared to most, why not just go a garden variety RDM extn?
The 20cm one I was offering is 440g!!

Anyway if you really want to reduce weight but don't wanna downhaul manually - use a winch. Then the extra weight gets left in the car not still attached to the extension?

I dunno just thoughts...

with the North ratchet you can fine tune the downhaul in a matter of seconds..while you're in the water..without even disconnecting the rig from the board. If you ever used it you'd know how hard it is to go back.

thanks everyone..appreciated!

yes, a lighter , stiffer board is supposed to be more "performant"
local riders can't tell the difference and all say just get the HRS or middle version if there are three
this discussion reminds me of raising children
choose your battles - some things are best just left alone ...
or choose a better tool like the North ratchet system