hi there, I have a 6m mast and sail but now looking for a smaller sail. Do i need a smaller mast if i was to get a 4m or can i use the 6m mast with the top of mast coming out of top of sail?
Your sail might be 6m but the mast is probably a 460cm.
Most 4m sails use a 400cm mast or even a 370.
Some small sails have a turban (adjustable top so the mast can stick out) but your 4.6m mast will probably still be too long.
There are also other factors to consider for optimum performance such as mast bend curves (IMCS) which are more likely to be correct for your sail if the mast length is correct to start with.
Most sails will have recommended mast length and IMCS printed on them.
Even with mast extensions, most of us have a number of masts to fit the range of sails we use.
6m - 4m is a big gap between sail sizes.
Unless you are somewhere really windy you might find a 5m sail (or thereaouts)more useful than the 4.
I have a range of sails from 6.6m - 3.3m & use a 430cm mast for the lot with ext or turbans.It probably isnt ideal but I get by. Your 460 could be a bit long for the smaller sizes though.
Loudas, Thats a big gap to go from 6m to 4m. Probably better going for something around the 5m mark? That way one mast for both sails is probably more workable.
(shameless plug - I have a 4.8 and 5.2 for sale if you are interested :))
Windxtasy, Interested in what sails / masts you use to get to get away with a 430 for all of them - sounds tempting!
the neil pryde zen goes from 4.9 to 7.2 all on a 430 mast with 0-42cm extension. and boom length from 169-212
www.neilpryde.com/?Itemid=59&id=20&option=com_npproducts&view=detail
Has anyone used the Zens? What are the like? Thats an incredible range for 1 mast - hugely tempted!
