| Windsurfing Masts - Know the correct mast for your | | | | carbon content as much as 80%. This high carbon |
| windsurfing rig. There are many types of masts and | | | | content is important for mast control in gusty |
| they generally come in two types of materials and | | | | conditions where it flexes quickly under load and |
| that is fibreglass and/or carbon fibre. The amount of | | | | returns to its relative position much quicker than a |
| carbon fibre you have in the mast will depend on the | | | | heavier mast with less carbon fibre. |
| performance that you require. The more carbon you | | | | Lighter masts are also usefull for Formula fleet racing |
| have the more flex and lightness the mast will be | | | | where the conditions are often light winds force 3-4 |
| making manouvres and waterstarts a load easier. | | | | and where dynamic pumping is required to lift the |
| However, the higher the carbon content the more | | | | formula board onto the plain. The lighter masts adds |
| expensive the mast will be possible costing up to | | | | a lot of speed, whip and extra power. When you buy |
| £400. | | | | your sail, rig manufacturers may recommend the |
| Mast stiffness is based on a scale called the IMCS or | | | | correct mast for that particular sail so you |
| the International Mast Check System which measures | | | | should’nt have to worry about mast stiffness |
| the flex within a mast depending on the load and the | | | | and the IMCS scale. However, in performance |
| relative length of the mast. The IMCS scale starts at | | | | windsurfing knowing your stiffness can be a matter |
| around 19 which is very flexible while the other end | | | | of winning or losing the race! |
| of the scale is 30+ which represents a stiff mast. | | | | So, when you purchase your rig make sure you have |
| Fibreglass masts tend to be stiff but will almost have | | | | the rigging instructions which will give you the |
| some carbon content in them to give it some | | | | suggested luff (leading edge), mast stiffness and |
| flexibility. Lets take a wave mast for instance which | | | | boom length which should be written at the bottom |
| needs to be durable due the impact of the waves | | | | of the sail. This will make tuning your rig a lot easier |
| and the beach. These masts normally have around | | | | and hassle free. Then all you have to adjust is the |
| 40% carbon content which makes it light as well as | | | | amount of downhaul depending on the conditions, |
| durable. High end performance masts which are very | | | | your ability and the style of windsurfing you are |
| light and are used for racing tend to have the highest | | | | about to undertake. |