I need to purchase some new masts and have been looking at Ezzy masts with the intention of eventually upgrading all my sails over the next couple of years to Ezzy as well.
Something that I found interesting was on Ezzy's FAQ mast section
www.ezzy.com/masts/ezzy-mast-faqs/
The 60% mast is stronger, has the same softness/hardness, same bend curve, and, comparing the 400cm mast, is only 200grams heavier than the 91%. And of course, it is also cheaper than the 91%.
Coming from a different area of the sport where carbon content was key, does the carbon content really make a big difference with Ezzy sails?
I was under the impression that less carbon was better for a newbie in wave sailing as the gear gets caught up in the waves more.
Does anyone have the 60%? And came to the same conclusion that 60% was a better option or completely opposite?

I have both my 60% is a 340 as I only use it with a 3.4 for foiling.my 370/400 are 91% the higher carbon content will make you larger sails feel a bit more responsive.So I would say if using 5.0 to ? Go with the 91% the more responsive you sail feels the more fun you'll have.Also 200g weight difference on the 400 is quite a bit.

Thanks Kdog,
I bought a second hand 6 and 7 hydra sail for foiling. The 6 takes 400 / 430 and the 7 430/430. To start with, the masts are for foiling and then I would buy a few more for wave sailing, when the time comes.
Can you edumecakate me a little? When so you feel the extra weight? I would of thought the weight of a small coke can would be nothing.

I have 91's for 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.7 Hydra's, but often use my older Loft Switchblades that weigh 12 lbs., and 14 lbs dry. With such heavy 3 cam sails, saving or adding 12 oz is not much consideration. And when wet, those 3 cam can easily add 2 lbs of water when starting to uphaul.

For pure wave sailing, especially in rocky launch and landings, I suspect 60 is stronger.
I normally use my older PX 90's for surf. Rdm's seldom break from crashes, but ferrule problems can happen.

Yes I agree most people won't notice that 200 grams,like I said you will feel the sail reaction with the higher carbon content at least I do. Maybe for foiling not so much, my biggest sail for foiling is a 5.0 wave sail as I live in a windy place and I like to have the lightest setup that I can afford.You have to remember that with ezzy you are only buying a full 430 and a 400 bottom as they sell tops-bottoms separately and if you decide to sell the 91% is a more desirable mast.

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LeeD said..
I have 91's for 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.7 Hydra's, but often use my older Loft Switchblades that weigh 12 lbs., and 14 lbs dry. With such heavy 3 cam sails, saving or adding 12 oz is not much consideration. And when wet, those 3 cam can easily add 2 lbs of water when starting to uphaul.

Is your switchblade bigger than your Hydra sails? I was using a 7.8 switchblade and 6.3 racing blade last season and found them great to get up on the foil but once up, hard to manage with all that extra speed. From memory you are doing more slalom foiling, right? Agreed, the luff sleeve fills with a lot of water. I definitely feel that extra weight but I thought the Ezzy Hydra's removed that problem.

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KDog said..
Yes I agree most people won't notice that 200 grams,like I said you will feel the sail reaction with the higher carbon content at least I do. Maybe for foiling not so much, my biggest sail for foiling is a 5.0 wave sail as I live in a windy place and I like to have the lightest setup that I can afford.You have to remember that with ezzy you are only buying a full 430 and a 400 bottom as they sell tops-bottoms separately and if you decide to sell the 91% is a more desirable mast.

That's the thing. At the moment I won't really notice the difference, but later maybe I will. Will it be a regrettable purchase? Will I then sell off the 60% and then buy 91%? I don't drink or smoke but I am an addict when it comes to water sports. And as an addict, I will always want more. More kit, more time on the water, more watching other people windsurf more more more.
I had sourced the masts from over in the US and with sending costs it was still a big saving compared to buying them here. So I was going to do a bulk order and then get complete sets of 370, 400, 430 and a 340 half. That would get me down to a 3.7 wave sail.
But maybe I should just get 400 and a 430 set in the 91% and then save my pennies for another purchase. That way there is no doubt or buyers remorse.
hummmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Carbon will hold its shape and return to its original shape faster than fiberglass. Weight savings + performance gain, increased range, comfort, stability and speed.

I broke the top of an Ezzy 91% while being destroyed in the surf. I believe from digging the mast into the reef. That was my only damage in 9 years or 1,500+ wave sessions.

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Manuel7 said..
Carbon will hold its shape and return to its original shape faster than fiberglass. Weight savings + performance gain, increased range, comfort, stability and speed.

I broke the top of an Ezzy 91% while being destroyed in the surf. I believe from digging the mast into the reef. That was my only damage in 9 years or 1,500+ wave sessions.

Very interesting.
Do you replace your masts often?
I either read or saw David Ezzy say the masts can last 10 to 20 years. I was very surprised.
Saying that, last year I was using a mast made by hypersonic that would of been 15 years old.

I wouldn't worry about 91% being more fragile due to higher carbon content.
I use 91% for 490 and 460 sizes, 8.5 & 7.5m Ezzy Lions.
60% for 430, 400 & 370 top. 6.5m Lion, 6m Cheetah, 5.2m Tiger & 4.5m Panther.
It was down to budget at the time.
I've been windsurfing for over 30 years and when I switch from 7.5m with 91% to 6.5m with 60% I dont feel that the mast isnt responsive enough. I was thinking of getting a 430 91% though. It will be interesting to see if its faster or a different feel, I use a GPS most sessions. I suspect I wont be able to feel the difference without side by side testing.

Got Ezzy 60% in 430 as recent replacement for and old Chinook 75%, rdm, as I've been collecting Ezzy sails second hand for a while now, but still on a bit of a budget. So far, so good. I think a fair proportion of good day to day sailors will not notice a great deal of difference. But if you dont think you belong in that "average" category, go 91% because your mast is going to last a long time, 60 or 91.

All my masts were used. Only bought some more halves. If I can and need to, I'll always sink my sail under the lip. Last year I got caught countless times, partly from going out on 4.2 in 15 knots!

Thanks everyone,
After much thought, I have gone with the 91% masts.
For the following reasons
At the moment I have the cash
From time to time I see 2nd hand masts selling and they are normally around half the price of new. So if I ever find myself selling then I am still getting half my money back. I never see the 60% for sale
At the moment I have some 2017 severne gators and I use them with a newer RRD mast. I do wonder what the performance would be like if I actually was using the severne masts.
I do like the fact that Ezzy has not changed their masts over which means later on I can buy newer/older Ezzy sails and not have to pair them up with that year's mast.
Thanks all for your input

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Henners said..
Thanks everyone,
After much thought, I have gone with the 91% masts.

I do like the fact that Ezzy has not changed their masts over which means later on I can buy newer/older Ezzy sails and not have to pair them up with that year's mast.

Exactly

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musorianin said..

Henners said..
Thanks everyone,
After much thought, I have gone with the 91% masts.

I do like the fact that Ezzy has not changed their masts over which means later on I can buy newer/older Ezzy sails and not have to pair them up with that year's mast.

Exactly

Common sense cost me an extra 300 something USD, but on the bright side, I might have saved a few dollars on shipping.
I have an old 5.0m Ezzy SE which has never worked well on a 370 rrd mast and a very long extension. Now that I purchased the masts, I can rig it up right and give it ago on the water.
Thanks very much for your past input, it was very helpful in making a decision.

Ezzy masts (from what I can see) aren't super expensive compared to others. They may weight a bit more but seem to resist huge beatings. Congrats on the purchase!

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Manuel7 said..
Ezzy masts (from what I can see) aren't super expensive compared to others. They may weight a bit more but seem to resist huge beatings. Congrats on the purchase!

Thanks very much, Manu. I am just doing some admin work and I usually have youtube running and I part listen whilst working. Your video on How to repair a windsurfing sail () just came on. Very interesting to watch. My sails are okay but I did cut up an old 1994 sail on the weekend and was so surprised at how easy it was to cut up. Incredible how a sail can be so strong but one little tear and get bigger quickly.

I have Ezzy masts and sails 7.5/6.5 lion, 5.8/5.5/5.0/4.7 Ezzy waves, 460/430/400/ top of a 370.
All 91%, only ever broken one mast in 10 yrs wavessailing, broke heaps of other brands prior.
I would always spend the coin on new 91% masts and carbon booms, and buy 2nd hand sails if that's whT the budget allows. I update sails every 2 yrs, mast and boom only when they break (hardly never)
The lighter masts with higher CC always makes the most out of every sail over cheaper alternatives.
My 2 cents

I have Ezzy masts and sails 7.5/6.5 lion, 5.8/5.5/5.0/4.7 Ezzy waves, 460/430/400/ top of a 370.
All 91%, only ever broken one mast in 10 yrs wavessailing, broke heaps of other brands prior.
I would always spend the coin on new 91% masts and carbon booms, and buy 2nd hand sails if that's whT the budget allows. I update sails every 2 yrs, mast and boom only when they break (hardly never)
The lighter masts with higher CC always makes the most out of every sail over cheaper alternatives.
My 2 cents

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Nerdburger said..
I have Ezzy masts and sails 7.5/6.5 lion, 5.8/5.5/5.0/4.7 Ezzy waves, 460/430/400/ top of a 370.
All 91%, only ever broken one mast in 10 yrs wavessailing, broke heaps of other brands prior.
I would always spend the coin on new 91% masts and carbon booms, and buy 2nd hand sails if that's whT the budget allows. I update sails every 2 yrs, mast and boom only when they break (hardly never)
The lighter masts with higher CC always makes the most out of every sail over cheaper alternatives.
My 2 cents

I think that is a very sensible plan of attack. In the end, I went for the 91% masts and they will be here next week. I was thinking about booms last week and toying with the idea of buying an aluminium boom but I also think that a carbon boom is a better long term investment.

I own a legacy rdm 60% 370. It is quite responsive compared to other masts of higher c.q. A general rule is to go for higher carbon content in larger sizes and less in smaller. Experts say that 80% to 90% are very strong masts. Because I changed from EZZY SAILS to S2MAUI I will keep the legacy as spare mast and buy other two EZZY hookipas 91 or two S2 Peahi 90. In terms of weight now, if you take 200 from mast, 250 from boom, 500 from board and 300 from sail you end up in a sum of 1.250gr that is a lot.

1.25kg savings is a lot but if you drank a litre of water before sailing, thats 1kg added.

I really think it depends on whether or not you are powered up most of the time. If you sail in a gusty place where you are mainly using bigger sails then weight is a factor, powered up in 5m weather on a wave board then don't worry too much about it.

Trying to get planing in marginal conditions then as light as possible is the go.

I like the 460 91% Hookipa I have. I also got a 60% GT 430 with the ezzy curve as part of my starter windsup rig. I've used that mast with other sails and I'm starting to notice the difference between the lower carbon and higher.

The hookipa even rigs well, overpowered, with my 7.5 gator. When the 60% is with an overpowered sail it doesn't feel as good to me. All my other masts are 80% or more.