Don't know if this has been asked before but what's the consensus on mast length for Sup Downwind paddling .It seems to be shrinking while prone mast lengths are growing . I'm about to get a new Sup DW set up and thinking 76cm mast , appreciate your thoughts.
There's no right or wrong here, but if you think about it like this, you may answer your own question...
Shorter.
- Frontal drag is the largest component of drag when trying to get up. Wing span although it adds to this also adds a lifting profile. With a mast, extra length adds to this frontal drag but does not add any extra lifting benefit, thus shorter is less drag for paddling up.
- Shorter masts are stiffer for the same layup/mast.
- Shorter masts response is quicker
Longer.
- Good for hard turns where you are fully banked over to avoid breeches
- Good for clearing large chops and bridging holes to avoid breeches
Personally I love using a 65cm, but it can be hard not to breech or blow out tips on bigger days when you're really moving. So I generally use 75cm. I do not really like using 85cm for DW.
Ride safe,
JB
Sorry mate its getting a little crowed out there lately so maybe when we have an opening for more space in the ocean we will let you know and you can join in. 
80cm or close to is all you need.
Select to expand quotepaul.j said..
Sorry mate its getting a little crowed out there lately so maybe when we have an opening for more space in the ocean we will let you know and you can join in.
80cm or close to is all you need. yeah mate we are going to need traffic lights out there soon . Thanks for the input everyone I think I'll start on a 75 and go from there. Now I just have to find my paddle it'll be covered in dust somewhere , hasn't been wet for a couple of years.
Keep us updated on the journey , DW seems to be the Holy grail in foiling but not so easy.
I like the 75 cm as it makes getting up on foil easier (also any mast feels stiffer when shorter).
80 to 85 cm is harder to get up but more user friendly flying.
I like to use only one size and get used to it, so for me 75 cm does it all (surf, dw).
Select to expand quotepohaku said..
I ride 70cm, all the crew here in Maui ride 70cm too.
Yeah that's what I heard the HI crew have been dropping down . Makes sense for starting .
You only look at a longer mast for righting moment and going upwind.
Given the nature of downwinders, you inherently need neither as you're typically at TWA c. 170-180. Simply put, you can go pretty short!
As paddles and board have improved, I've been moving to longer masts with great results. It used to be all about getting up on a smaller front wing, but the gear has progressed to the point where I don't want to ride anything smaller, but I can still get up easily. This has left room to start increasing mast length.
The extra energy storage of a long mast really helps connect bumps and keep your average speed high especially in lighter conditions. It's also nice not to worry about wingtip clearance in turns on wide span front wings. I've found myself turning harder and going faster with less energy expended after moving from 70-75 to 80cm. This does take some getting used to, you'll be a lot slower until you start riding high on the mast again.
Of course the most important thing is they you're getting on foil and not scared to fall. Ride the gear that gets you closest to that point before starting to experiment a ton.
This is one of Jeremy Rigs instructional videos he's down to a 26.5" (67 cm ) mast
www.instagram.com/reel/CiAwn59DJpF/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Shorter mast does feel a little faster so depends on the conditions your riding. Lots of water moving and chop then a little longer is better. Clean or more predictable conditions then can go shorter. I ride both 75 and 85cm. Just go with what I feel be better on the day. Did a run a couple of months ago with the 75cm in messy choppy 30knots and it wasn't great in that.
