Was wondering if anyone has ever upraded from an X3 to an X6/X9 mast and what was the difference in the way the different masts reacted. I recently had my old 430 Radz Spyro Mast (75%) snap on me and need to buy a new one. Was wondering whether to go for the cheaper option or to break the bank balance by buying a higher quantity car on mast. I am running the mast on a 5.4m Alpha, 7.2m Zen and a 6m V8(which I am thinkin of getting rid of). Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

*higher quantity carbon mast*

in my humble opinion go for an X6 rdm. The only problem I think might the length. I found the 400 x6 rdm to be a perfect match for the 5.4 Alpha as well as the 5.8 Atlas. I am a bit over 100kgs but still find the 400 mast gives me a wider ranger and the reduced weight compared to a 430 comes in handy.

Just reading your post again, I realise that you want to run the mast on a 7.2 Zen. Will the 430 fit? I think the rdm x6 might not work as well on that sail. Perhaps ask at your local shop they would know and might even have a demo mast so you try before you buy.

Bummer you are in QLD ... if you would be around Sydney I could let you try both the 400 and 430 to see the difference.

Thanks for your reply Stehsegler. The Zen Range was designed to fit on one size mast, it worked ok on my old mast although a friend of mine said his 7.3 zen worked better on a 460. I have also been advised that the SDM would work better on my 6m V8 as it fits on the cams better. Your thoughts appreciated......

*my friends 7.2 Zen!!* (need a bigger keyboard!!)

the difference in weight at the top of the mast is the biggest difference i noticed between the two. that alone makes sailing more pleasant, even if there's not much performance difference

I think you will need a SDM for any sail with cams. The NP X6 is a good mast. 80% carbon in sdm and 50% in rdm.

I have a NP X6 460 sdm for my slalom sails and a NP X6 430 rdm for my wave sails. A rdm is usually lighter than a same size sdm. RDM is supposed to be better for durability too.

Good luck.

The tushingham 75% freewave SDM rig really well on NP sails. i use them on my NP RSR's and used them on my RSS's as well. They are a flex top. Tushy now have even flexier tops in their speed pro range.

IMHO the Tushy masts are a better mast in finish quality and last longer.

oh and they are a bit cheaper too

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wbailey said...

I think you will need a SDM for any sail with cams. The NP X6 is a good mast. 80% carbon in sdm and 50% in rdm.

I have a NP X6 460 sdm for my slalom sails and a NP X6 430 rdm for my wave sails. A rdm is usually lighter than a same size sdm. RDM is supposed to be better for durability too.

Good luck.

I modified all my KA Koncepts to use RDM cams and rigged them on 430 to 490 Ezzy RDMs. (I'm assuming you are not talking about NP sails only)

They all sailed well, and I didn't notice any difference to when they were rigged on the SDMs I had. I made the effort to watch the way the leech was working, but I couldn't notice any difference. I guess it would be good to compare the masts back to back, but it was too much fun sailing to go back in and change masts and cams.

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wbailey said...

I think you will need a SDM for any sail with cams. The NP X6 is a good mast. 80% carbon in sdm and 50% in rdm.

mattkem,

If you're looking at getting an X6 430, the carbon content is less than X6 460 (430: 65%, 460: 80%).

I owned an X3 430 a number of years ago that I was using in a 5.4 Excess but wasn't happy with the performance so traded the X3 in on an X6 430. The X6 is definately the better mast, less spongy than the X3 which appears to be much more flex top than the X6.

I think the NP X6 (SDM or RDM) would be a good choice for a reasonable quality mast to suit NP sails (as well as others like Tushingham and maybe KA?) which doesn't appear to be overpriced.