Thinking of getting some of the new Ezzy freerides, 6.5m and 7.5m. They run constant curve masts. I have a 460 North Sting SDM 35% carbon that I could use, or I could buy a new Ezzy RDM 90% carbon.
Are there any opinions of which would be the better mast? I've heard that SDMs are better for bigger sails because they spring back a little faster but I'm not sure about how carbon content affects this.
If you think of a mast as a leg, and the luff and the pants, then sticking a skinny leg in pants that are designed for fat people gives a very different result to when a fat leg is forced into pants designed for skinny people... Everybody is much happier when other peoples pants fit, even if the owner is oblivious..
The sail should be optimised for one or the other, and it's a compromise if you use the least preferred recommended option.. That would assume the the EZZY has been optimised for anything other than outlasting our species..
Re 'spring back', if two masts are identical stiffness they will spring back at the same speed, unless there is a difference in weight.. But who cares, it's an EZZY, amirite? (compulsory dig at EZZY for consistency)
I would be budgeting for a compatible mast, but take into consideration, will the mast you purchase for the Ezzy be compatible with another brand sail, in the off chance you want to leave 1992 and buy something modern..
Beware of mast compatibility entrapment..
^^That makes sense, also saw this on the North page while looking at the Nerd, under Mast Technology.. North masts might have changed since the Sting.. Would be funny if GayPryde did something like this.. Zero other brands would be compatible haha..
Hmm... edit function seems to be disabled. Just had a look at my mast. It's not a Sting after all, it's a 35% carbon Drop Shape.
I've got a powerex 85% skinny and a pryde 90% skinny.
No noticeable difference between the two when used on a modern pryde wave or freestyle sail, so i guess in theory one should be able to buy an ezzy (as mark said - was once a powerex clone) and expect it to also work on a pryde sail if need be
maybe the gps-ers might benefit from a .0000934 knot-per-hour increase in speed by using the dedicated mast for the sail.
otherwise, i personally wouldn't get too anal about it 
Actually what I was after was the performance comparison between a 35% carbon SDM (drop shape) and a 90% carbon RDM for use with big sails.
I'm not intending on using a mismatched mast and sail combination, I will be using the right mast for the sail.
I expect the sail I get to work fine with either of these masts but I was wondering whether the 35% I already SDM might be better with the bigger sails thereby saving money. Then again the Ezzy mast with it's higher carbon content and improved handling might be better....
i think u might need to try this for yourself to really know what suits you.
what you find good, others find bad and visa versa. heavy blokes vs light blokes using stiffer or more flexy and varying curves etc apparently all makes a difference. Some like to feel overpowered and others like to feel in control. it's all subjective and just a case of personal choice, and it's not really a question that can have a black / white answer
you may be right. the biggest sail i use is 5.8, and the 5.8 is used 90% of the time
ikw - there must be someone who can lent u a mast or two to try up your way?
I have a Ezzy 430 you can try anytime not sure if it is long enough though.
See you at Q's Kerry
Hey IKW, where you moving to in NZ? Might have a solution to your Ezzy problem here, drop me a PM.
