Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could please help me with choosing a suitable mast for my Gaastra Matrix 6.5 2007 model sail. Although it is 2007 it has never been used (long story) and so we need a new mast that will suit it. The recommendations printed on the sail are: IMCS 25, mast 460, luff 466, base 6. However, I don't know whether it needs a constant curve mast or a progressive curve mast? I tried putting a progressive curve Neil Pryde X3 460 mast (ICMS 25, carbon content 30%) into the sail but when I rigged it with this mast (trying different levels of downhall and outhall) the batons would not clear the mast - they overlap with it. Would this be because the sail requires a constant curve mast? Or would this just be corrected once the sail and batons actually get some wind in them and are stretched out a bit? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Mark

hi there the Gaastra masts up to 2006 were made by triana and were pretty close to curve of what is now the Maui sails masts. ie 9, since then in 2007 the mast moved more to the constant curve shape with a flex number of 11-13 depending on RDM or sdm.

IN the matrix the recommended mast is 75 460 sdm race or 55 460 sdm. In practice we have also used the 75 460 RDM mast which gives a finer luff entry, more top speed and better windward performance but at the expense of low down power.

In the past Gaastra masts were very hard to get as there were big delays in shipping and large volume minimums from the European factory. You will now find the masts in SHQ in Melbourne, and Surf Fx in QLD. There is also a shipment landing in Sydney next week, hoepfully before the Xmas break.

If you do not want to buy a Gaastra masts, compatible brands are fiberspar, powerex, tushingham and no limitz. but they are all a bit stiffer in the bottom and flexy in the top in comparison. more importantly is the SDM powerex and fiberspar are larger external diameter which makes the batterns stick on rotation.

I hope this information is relevent. please talk to you local shop for more info.