Ok.. Gun masts seem reasonably priced..anyone had experienc with them? They have a 65% carbon 430 .
I just realised the prices on the Ezzy website are misleading as the obvious ones are for half a mast [}:)] so I prob cant afford an Ezzy after all..
I've been using the 65% 400 rdm's for a couple of years. I bought 2 of them and both are still going strong
also have a look at unifiber. very nicely priced. i run a 400 skinny and although not pushing it through surf it is going strong so far.
www.unifiber.net/
since when have sails rigged on anything bigger than 400? one mast to rule them all..
even though i fear starting another 30 page debate about the pros and cons of this gear versus that gear,
i think barn is one of the "aware sailors" in the community. ie, you don't need a massive sail to enjoy windsurfing, and in some disciplines smaller the better.
flame suit being zipped up now.
SBC - any reason you did not look in the buy and sell? Just had a quick squiz and there are about 6 or so sellers that would probably suit your needs. With masts around the 75% - 100% carbon content.
IMO don't waste your money on a 30% carbon 400. Buy a decnt 430, and save for a decent 400 or look second hand. It is not just the weight, but the carbon improves the mast response. The mast is the backbone of your sail, and is the key factor in determining your sails performance.
You should run at least 75% carbon, to get most out of your sail. Of course money matters, that's why check out the second hand ones, you already know that masts last a long time.
All masts break!! High percentage carbon ones break, as do low percentage carbon. If you were sailing logo high hookipa, and had to worry about money, then maybe that would influence your purchase, but for flat water freeriding, buy the best mast you can get your hands on.
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All masts break!! High percentage carbon ones break, as do low percentage carbon. If you were sailing logo high hookipa, and had to worry about money, then maybe that would influence your purchase, but for flat water freeriding, buy the best mast you can get your hands on.
Assuming that you are riding heavyish waves and want the most durable constant curve 400 mast for a loft sail, what are people thoughts on strongest masts.
Is say a 70% going to resist snapping better than 100%?? Brands?? (ezzy seem to get good feed back).
I have posted a thread elsewhere but have not gotten a response yet.
DunkO,
It really does depend on what you do with the mast regarding its durability. The lower carbon masts may survive a not so severe crunch in the waves, but i don't believe there is any way to guarantee or predict how long it will last, or how many dumpings it will take. the lower carbon mast will change the way the sail feels and performs.
All sails apart from ezzy get shape in their mast buy using the luff curve to load / bend the mast, Ezzy seems to cut the shape in the sail, requiring less bend on the mast which is where there so called bomb proofness comes from. The mast is most likely no different to any one else's, it is just not loaded as much as the other sail brands.
Yes i have sailed ezzy's as well as north, naish, and now gaastra. Ezzy masts are by no means as stressed in the ezzy sail when rigged. You stick an ezzy mast in a north or gaastra, i think you will find it is just as susceptible to breakage as any other. It is the cut of the ezzy sail that saves the mast.
A 70% mast will still allow the sail to perform close to what the designer was trying to achieve, will it last longer - who knows, maybe?
Your warranty will only cover manufacturing defects, not crashing, or misuse.
I've freighted masts with no problems. But that's your call.
Just keep in mind, if you want your sail to perform the best - get at least 75% carbon mast. Personally i think anything else and your wasting your money.
Try carbontech 100% masts are a blast for racing sails... pretty much similar pricing to gun, but way better...
save up and go for the EZZY's. That will be my long term plan anyway. They seem to be reasonably priced for what they are and are incredibly flexible in how one can use them.
I got myself a Billows mast about 2 years ago from a guy near Newcastle...I think, It's a no-name brand but it did the job before I got some good stuff. It's a constant curve 100% carbon RDM 430 and only cost $300, His website is still on the net but I'm not sure if it's upto date but it might be worth a look. http://www.cyclonic.com.au/
I still use this mast today and it works a treat with my Pryde wave sails, Its heaps lighter then my X6 masts that I use now.
