Apart from weight advantages, what is the most noticeable improvement when you go from using 30% to 60 to 90 and 100% carbon masts?
If we assume that weight was the same, would a beginner/intermediate sailor be able to pick a significant difference between them in a blind test? Or do you need to be a good sailor to appreciate the difference?
Do rdm have a different feel to sdm when sailing? Generally waves/freestle is stricly rdm. Freeride/slalom is mostly sdm but some manufacturers recommend rdm (eg Loft).
I didn't notice any difference when going from 30% to 70% when a beginner, apart from the weight. The weight difference alone made the rig feel much better and easier to uphaul, so I was impressed.
WEGHT: most noticeable during a water start, where you have to lift the mast above the water.
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE: if the weights were the same (and they aren't) the beginner won't notice it. The intermediate will notice that the rig feels more “alive” (I certainly did when moving from C30 to C75, with the ultimate being C100). An intermediate, good sailor will notice the better responsiveness, particularly in the gusts.
RDM/SDM: I haven't tried a sail fitted to an SDM then tried that same sail fitted to an RDM, but I would expect there to be a difference (in rig weight and sail “set”). I run a mix of SDM and RDM masts in different-size sails and can't tell the difference in sail performance. If I fluff a gybe and have to grab the mast, I prefer the smaller diameter RDM.
Others may have different opinions.
As always, rig the sail on the specified mast.
Big difference.....My thoughts. SDM feels stiffer, when it gets overpowered it reaches a mast bend limit. Will help the bigger sailor go faster.
RDM feels like there is no bend limit, the mast just keeps bending and sheding power when you want it to.
My quiver in Koncepts 8.5 (SDM) ,7.5 (SDM),
6.6 (RDM) but I have run it on both.
5.8 (RDM) this one was a tough choice as it was really good on the SDM as well and its my prefered speed sail.
5.0 (SDM) Goto sail when its windy
4.4 (RDM) will only rig on this mast
Interesting to hear everyone else's views on it. I'm trying to weigh up whether it's worth trading up. I wasn't ready to go 100% carbon for weight alone. Then the next decision was going to be sdm or rdm. Kato mentioned that RDMs feel like there's no bend limit, which would be a nice feature for me to shed power when caught on a sail just a little too big.
100% SDMs are lighter but fragile. 100% RDMs are still pretty light though.
RDMs have the same tip weights as SDMs so they perform just as well at the top.
Some claim a small advantage for RDMs because of their narrower entry but that's really bugger all.
In summary the RDMs work just as well and are reasonably rugged. The weight penalty is well worth the trade off.
I've been told 100% carbon masts are easily damaged.I have one and treat it really carefully and so far so good. Like what sort of things do you have to be careful of? I try not to leave it in the sun long or let it hit anything when I'm moving it around..any other tips? It came 2nd hand with the sail and I love it as its SO light !
Gustee the greatest advantage I like is the lightweight! I used to find my 6.6m sail tiring and vowed never to go bigger ( 55% carbon mast) but now I use the 100% with the 6.6m and it feels like a 5.8m and I use a 7.2m which I wouldn't have considered otherwise.The other advantage is for gybing..I can often do a less than perfect gybe and get away with it whereas with the heavier rig if the rig ends up a bit out of position I'm in the drink. I suppose in the long run that helps you get the right technique but I like having the latitude the lighter rig gives me.
I use a 30% carbon in the smaller sails ( couldn't afford more ) but figured that as the sails are smaller and weigh less everything would still be manageable even with a heavier mast.
I once had had the oppurtunity to jump straight on a 100% carbon RDM after sailing around on my 70% RDM rigged in the same kind of sail (a 5.6 S1). the immediate difference I felt was in pumping onto the plane, it was like going from a cooked piece of spaghetti to an uncooked piece. The difference in how much the rig flopped was amazing.
The rig was definitely a lot more responsive as well (just sailing around)
