RDM is witchcraft - smaller diameter for same weight and strength!!! Theres no way this should work!!! Someone please .sort out string theory and quantum gravity so we can answer this question and travel the universe through wormholes.
Plus SDM works fine for me!
RDM's have thicker walls, so cam wear isn't as much of an issue. They're also a bit heavier...
A narrower mast means a more efficient foil (I think).
One sticking point is that many cammed sails only set well on SDM, you have to look hard to find a decent racing sail that sets on a RDM.
Swings and roundabouts, they last longer in the waves, and if I use RDM's for flat water as well then I only need three masts instead of six...
Phew!!! 33 responses to my original post in one day, SDM vs RDM obviously a hot topic!
My situation (reason for original post):
3 sails in quiver - NP Combat 4.4, KA Koyote 5.3 & Tushingham Lightning 6.0
NP & Tushie designed to work best with SDM (emailed Tushingham re ideal mast - answer was high carbon 430/21 SDM)
KA supposedly works well with either SDM or RDM (currently using NP 430 X6 SDM)
Usually I'm a tight-arse when it comes to outlaying money on gear as I don't usually have a lot of disposable income to play with (always preferred good secondhand stuff). Fortunately, I've received a sizeable inheritance and can afford to update to a new mast (or masts), plus new extensions and boom (awaiting delivery of my 'dream' board at present), though I still want to get the best mast/s to suit my current sail quiver (have considered changing Combat if new mast doesn't suit). Also, the whole mast compatibility issue has got me wondering what to do with a mixed brand sail quiver, everybody has a different opinion of what works best with what!
Many people would appear to use their gear (particularly masts) until they break according to comments from some, though I live 400kms from the nearest windsurf shop and the coastline I often sail around is very rocky so self preservation is very important element here! I've used the mast in pic below around 6-8 times since noticing hairline cracks below ferrule, and even though NP have assured me the cracks are only cosmetic, I'm ready to update to a new mast!
QUESTION - If money was no object and you wanted to get a new mast (or masts) which best suited the sails I mentioned previously, would you go RDM or stick with SDM?
Gaz
I would change tack - having all sails the same is nice, your quiver has very different handling sails. Strongly consider getting all the same sails.
For about the price of 2 new RDM's, you can probably get 3 x 1y/o sails and 2 x 1 y/o RDM's.
I know it is tempting to buy all new shiny stuff but if I had 3 different sails I'd not be buying a couple of Ezzy RDM's.
IMHO
i use a loft430 rdm on my n/p 5/8rss and 6.2 rs , a guy borrowed my gear and he wasnt aware the 6.2 was rigged on a skinny, he allso uses a 6.2 rs rigged on a x9 , he was suprised it was rigged on a skinny because he couldnt tell the difference
I'd go RDM, especially as your largest sail is a 6m. I have 2 RDM masts which I use with my 6.6m, 5.3m and 4.7m (none of these have cams) I have a SDM which I use with my 7.5m KA Koncept which has 3 cams.
Its all about sacrifice.
I buy 2nd hand gear BUT, never again a 2nd hand mast..
...(unless I know its owner/history)...
All my old Masts fat diameter are used to hold tents up or wind direction things.
Reduced diamiter are the go ,finer entery through the wind ,and and give the rig a lighter feel when throwing it around, sweeter balance...........there pritty dam strong .......hard to bust.
Also you really want to get a set of rigs of the same brand.
But even then a skinny will feel better ................sailing and gyding.
one thing you will notice is the mast sleeve will and can become full of water and you will have to swim up the rig further to get it out of the water and or wait longer when its stuck under water , although this is a little determined on the cut and width of the sleeve in your riggs case for a fat mast ,,,,,!!!!!
aNY EXTRA WEIGHT IN THIS AREA ie water in the sleeve half a liter requires extra energy . to pop it out of the water and to recoverit as you have to swim further up th mast to pop it out and then back before water starting
Which ****s me especially if you have had rigs can pop out easly with one hand on the boom
Becomes very noticible year to year when different mast sleeve widths are used.
This can make the difference between geting taken out by a monster wave and or getting going
Its all about sacrifice.
Its all about sacrifice.
Interesting sub-topic emerged on this thread which I interperated as "the depth of your commitment to the sport is measured by how much money you spend on it".
So I've decided to stick with SDM for my NP, KA & Tushie quiver. Choices for new 430 SDM mast (freeride & bump n' jump use only) appears to come down to:
- NP X6 (which I currently use)
- Tushingham Freewave 75% carbon
- KA 75% carbon
- Powerex Wave 60% carbon
Any others to consider?
I'm certain the first three masts mentioned will work ok, but can anyone who has used the Powerex Wave in NP or Tushingham sails comment on bend curve compatibility?
This discussion doesn't interest me much but I thought I'ld let you see this recent quote from Monty Spindler on his Loft Sail forum.
-if you sail on flat water/lakes it could be that you prefer the sdm
-if you are heavy maybe the sdm suits you better
-if your trim is better on the sdm- maybe it suits better
-if you consistantly sail in the low end of the wind range maybe the sdm suits better...
