Anyone tried the larger V8s with an RDM mast? I believe Neil Pryde recommends RDM for the smaller ones but not for the 7.2m and above. Thinking the Neil Pryde SPX90 RDM - so the bend curve ought to be OK. Weight 77kg.
Doable or hideously flawed compromise?
All the rest of my kit is RDM.hence feeling slightly SDM phobic.
thanks for any thoughts!

I use the 7.7 V8 with a SPX90 SDM and a 6.2 V8 with the TPX RDM, I'm a good bit heavier than you @95kg but I still think you would struggle to maintain the stiffness in the sail with an RDM on that size, there's a fair bit of extension as well with the 460.

This is the only sail I use the SDM on but to be honest I really don't notice any difference as it's size specific.

If you do go the RDM route you'll also need to get a set of the smaller RDM cams for the sail.

Cheers,
Dave

Hi, I have had V8's over a number of years now. I really recommend 6.2 upwards SDM. I found that running RDM on the 6.2 would not hold its shape correctly in the luff, and rotation, tired a number of things but it felt wrong on the water. I was running all sails on TPX100. Aslo had a few SLAKES as well SDM. When talking to the PWA athletes at New Cal, it was extremely interesting to see them all not follow the sail species, heavyweights and featherweight they all used the next size mast up than recommend and all were using SDM. When watching them, rigging and derigging their sails, it was all to do with stiffer mast and what the GPS was saying. Extremely interesting to was and witness, and they were extremely friendly to talk to and explain what and why. They used sails from 7.0 to 9.4 sails.
Hope this helps enjoy sailing and keep having fun, and Send it!!

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nudie said..
Hi, I have had V8's over a number of years now. I really recommend 6.2 upwards SDM. I found that running RDM on the 6.2 would not hold its shape correctly in the luff, and rotation, tired a number of things but it felt wrong on the water. I was running all sails on TPX100. Aslo had a few SLAKES as well SDM. When talking to the PWA athletes at New Cal, it was extremely interesting to see them all not follow the sail species, heavyweights and featherweight they all used the next size mast up than recommend and all were using SDM. When watching them, rigging and derigging their sails, it was all to do with stiffer mast and what the GPS was saying. Extremely interesting to was and witness, and they were extremely friendly to talk to and explain what and why. They used sails from 7.0 to 9.4 sails.
Hope this helps enjoy sailing and keep having fun, and Send it!!

Please explain ...... ,"they all used the next size mast up than recommended ". Did they then chop the mast length ?

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Imax1 said..

nudie said..
Hi, I have had V8's over a number of years now. I really recommend 6.2 upwards SDM. I found that running RDM on the 6.2 would not hold its shape correctly in the luff, and rotation, tired a number of things but it felt wrong on the water. I was running all sails on TPX100. Aslo had a few SLAKES as well SDM. When talking to the PWA athletes at New Cal, it was extremely interesting to see them all not follow the sail species, heavyweights and featherweight they all used the next size mast up than recommend and all were using SDM. When watching them, rigging and derigging their sails, it was all to do with stiffer mast and what the GPS was saying. Extremely interesting to was and witness, and they were extremely friendly to talk to and explain what and why. They used sails from 7.0 to 9.4 sails.
Hope this helps enjoy sailing and keep having fun, and Send it!!

Please explain ...... ,"they all used the next size mast up than recommended ". Did they then chop the mast length ?

What I seen was mast extensions being a lot smaller. For example 28 extention printed on the sail and it was clear, they had it set 0 or +2 on the extension for example.
As for masts being cut, I can honestly say 100% unsure if they were cut. I did see 430 printed on the masts but they used a 460 instead so on and so on going bigger size sails. All brands are mixed and matched with masts as well.
It was strange for me to witness, but when they explained what they we're chasing it made sense.
They are the professionals, after all. And they are happy to help you with any questions that you ask.

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Widget said..
Anyone tried the larger V8s with an RDM mast? I believe Neil Pryde recommends RDM for the smaller ones but not for the 7.2m and above. Thinking the Neil Pryde SPX90 RDM - so the bend curve ought to be OK. Weight 77kg.
Doable or hideously flawed compromise?
All the rest of my kit is RDM.hence feeling slightly SDM phobic.
thanks for any thoughts!

AFAIK Neil Pryde don't make an RDM longer than 430. That might explain why they don't recommend for 7.2 and above which require longer than 430. Am I missing something?

wssboards.com.au/neil-pryde-mast-spx90-rdm/

Available but definitely not a budget option at $1170.

Yeah ok, I stand corrected, just had a look on their web site, they do make a 460 RDM now.

I've used their 430, 400 and 370 RDMs for a while. I wouldn't hesitate using their 460 RDM on the larger sails that recommend a 460. They wouldn't produce that mast if it didn't work with those sails. Well, that's my experience anyway. And in regard to the price, I'd pay that new without blinking.

My NP 8.7 can be used with a 490 or 520 SDM mast. It feels better with the softer 490. Which is strange because I'm heavy. I think it could be down a couple horsepower with the 490. I presume that would be the same using a skinny mast ,nicer handling, less power.

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Orange Whip said..

Widget said..
Anyone tried the larger V8s with an RDM mast? I believe Neil Pryde recommends RDM for the smaller ones but not for the 7.2m and above. Thinking the Neil Pryde SPX90 RDM - so the bend curve ought to be OK. Weight 77kg.
Doable or hideously flawed compromise?
All the rest of my kit is RDM.hence feeling slightly SDM phobic.
thanks for any thoughts!

AFAIK Neil Pryde don't make an RDM longer than 430. That might explain why they don't recommend for 7.2 and above which require longer than 430. Am I missing something?

You're spot on OW. 430 NP masts are RDM & SDM optioned while larger are all SDM and smaller RDM. Im on patrik GT3 and they all set on RDM 5.0-8.2 (might be a 9.0 too)