guys i have a 430 mast ,
what the largest and smallest sail i can put on it

can i just put a 400 sail on it , or would the 30 cm be too high

with a larger sail , can i just get a mast extension eg a 460 sail ?


or doesnt it work like that

billy, some sails have an adjustable head - this is a strap and fastener set up that goes around the top of the mast. So some 400 sails can be rigged on a 430 mast.

Some 460 sails with luff lengths in the low 460s can also be rigged on a 430 mast.

As you are just starting out this can be an ok compromise.

Unfortunately not all masts bend the same way, some are more flexy at the top than others (flex top -> constant curve -> hard top).

What you don't want do is put a flex top mast into a sail designed for a hard top mast (or vice versa). The sail will rig poorly.

So before you mix sail brands and mast brands - ask here.

I dont mean to hijack this thread - but while we are on masts. Im about to order one. Im also a "noob".

What is the real difference with a RDM , STD, and are there any other types?

Im in Cairns and there are no shops to ask. I have a posse of locals who help me out but thought Id just ask before I annoy them.

justin

Rexo said...

I dont mean to hijack this thread - but while we are on masts. Im about to order one. Im also a "noob".

What is the real difference with a RDM , STD, and are there any other types?

Im in Cairns and there are no shops to ask. I have a posse of locals who help me out but thought Id just ask before I annoy them.

justin

The 'real' difference ?

The only real differences are :

1) RDM is smaller diameter
2) RDM is the current new and sexy must have item
3) RDM is claimed to be more durable (see item 2 above)
4) RDM is claimed to have faster and better damped bend and recoil (see item 2)
5) STD is old skool (see item 2)
6) people who sail large sails in straight lines claim STD is still better for large sails sailing in straight lines (see item 5 above)

billyboy402 said...

how do you tell if the mast is a flex ,
i thought all mast are the same

www.unifiber.net/masts-selector gives a rough idea. Stay away from Neil Pryde and Gaastra/Maui combos and you'll probably be ok

what size should you look for , with a good extension

can u get a mast 400 with a 60 extension , that would fit most sail

I don't know if you can buy an extension that big - maybe 45cm. Second hand 30% carbon masts go for $100-$150 - might be easier in the long run.

Rexo said...



and thats why RDM cost more than STD.

Is it true that some sails/brands will only fit STD and some are made to only for RDM?

Im loving this, its like a new mystical science and language.
Thanks.

Generally they will manufacture a sail to suit one or the other. You can get away with a bit of mix n match provided the sail hasnt got cam inducers, but it'll cost you in sail performance.

eg: I used to stick my neil pryde alpha 5.4 on a 400 sdm, now ive got it on a rdm its a changed beast (let the pryde bashing begin [}:)]). it was definitely useable on the sdm but it does its job a lot better on the rdm

Billy think it comes down to cash mate !!! If your willing to spend on "performance" and have a trailer full of gear. you will need 10 board 7 masts 15 sails an 4 booms ;-)
I have made the mistake to often of purchasing sails that aren't compliant with my masts lengths and i have given them away (lucky they were second hand) Don't purchase anything with-out and adjustable masthead.Depending on the level of windsurfing and budget you are running id sygest not to worry about the mast flex. (this is for advanced sailors.)
I have successfully placed a 4.0 - 6.0 on a 430 and sailed comfortably (after adjusting harness lines) i don't have to budget to worry about mast curbs.
Anything above 6.0 i run a 490 and use sails adjustable 7.0+ plus.

All comes down to budget and how anal you are about performance. Rigging smaller sails is difficult because its hard to move harness lines in high wind (get tired quickly). Alot of advance sailors have smaller booms new mast and sail pre setup for dictating condition These sailors may go kilometers off shore..

You should put your weight and board size as this is a contributing factor to sail choice.

Depending on how far you plan on going offshore and level of fitness to swim-back dictates the distance of extension The higher the extension the higher the risk of gear failure. This simple equation can be can be implemented for mast flex.
The further you push the equipment (mast flex / extensions) the greater risk of gear failure.

billyboy402 said...

Cool, thx
I was just worried if I buy a smail sail it would break my only mast

before you buy a sail, post what you intend to get and what you have in the way of masts (brands, length, sizes, extension length). that way the folk here will be able to identify if it will work at all.

RDM is way way stronger from my experience. really is the best option i believe.

i am taking it back to the guy i borught it off and his going to swap it for a smaller sail and rig

i will msg back what i end up getting

Billyboy, it's good news that they are going to swap the sail and mast for you. Things will be much easier with a smaller rig but I think you'll be looking for that 6.5 again in the not to distant future. I learnt on a 6.7 and I fell in heaps, Wacked my head with the mast a hundred times but seriously I needed the power of the 6.7 to plain in lighter wind when learning. With a 4 or 5 you are going to need 25-30 knots to plain and unless your in for a beating you won't be throwing yourself into conditions like that for a while. Don't get me wrong, if he's willing to swap the bigger sail back when you have advanced you will be set. A 6.5 is a good sized flatwater sail and most commonly used by average weight sailors everywhere I sail on the east coast. Wave sailings a different matter all together but I do agree that a 400 is the most suitable mast for wave sails, I rigg 4.7-5.8 on a 400 for all my wave sailing but for flatwater a 430 will be needed as well. With RDM being the sexy thing at the moment you should be able to find a cheap secondhand SDM at a windsurf shop. When you get hooked you'll find yourself upgrading your kit as much as you can, just remember if you switch to RDM that means a new extension as well. Most freeride/wave sails can rigg on both SDM and RDM but some are specific to both, you just have to do some research on the manufactures websites to make sure before you buy.

Anyways just go out and have fun, don't get caught up with the whole flex top mast bend stuff just yet, I still don't care about it and I still manage to sail and have a good time.

Jase.

Fieldie said...

What are the decent masts worth lately? 430/460 STD or RDM???

Just got a used sail that could probably do a bit better than being paired up with my old STD 430 NP X3

if its an old np sail thats the best mast for the job.

depends what sail you have, you can get a new low carbon mast from about $300 up to $100+ for 100% carbon. You can get greatly reduced second hand prices if you know what you need brand wise.
Hot sails have 97% for under $600, i'm actually selling my near new 430 for $300 but again that is useless if your sail will not match the bend curve.

you can buy a new 460 x9 for well over a grand. N.P are generally flex top design if thats the sail you have. look on the unifibre chart to see what suits??

altenatively there are sail + full carbon mast new from hot sails australia for under a grand, sorry for the obvious plug but it is a bloody good deal....