Using a softer mast

Was reading recently about using a softer mast to give a sail a higher upper wind range and subsequent more control, because the softer mast will allow more twist off in gusts.
Example: 6.6 Cam'd freerace sail is listed to use a 460 Imcs 25, however my 430 Imcs 21 extension set at 36 could be used.

Has anyone got any thoughts on this?

Using a softer mast does give more control in higher winds.

It not only bends more creating more twist but will bend more in line with the luff curve of the sail making it flatter in profile.

Not nessecarily more range but better control in stronger winds.

I did this with the 2011 NP Atlas 5.8 . If rigged on a 400 mast with 32 cm extension it gave the sail a very nice soft feel. IMHO this improved the handling of a sail this size for wave sailing a lot.

Sadly the extension started developing a slight bend after a summers worth of sailing and had to be replaced.

The 2012 Atlas seems to be using shorter (softer masts) across the entire range. The result is the sails feel a lot softer while still developing a lot of power.

I wouldn't bother with a 6.2. I don't think it will give you that much more range and if anything handling is much worse due to the longer boom.

From what I can tell the 430 does make it a lot stiffer but doesn't add that much early planing advantage. Maybe it's just me but I actually found the 400 to work much better.

They removed the 400 recommendation for the 2012 Atlas. But when I contacted Neil Pryde asking them why they did I was told it was mainly because they didn't think the sail performed to their liking.

I am wondering if another reason is because they had too many extensions being bent or braking.

Having now used both the 5.8 and 5.4 2012 Atlas there seems to be quite a big difference. The 5.4 with the 400 mast feels more like a 5.0 .

The 5.8 on the other hand feels a bit too stiff again with the 430. Just like last year. I might try it with a 400 next time I use it.

Many of the better sailors are now using tip extensions made from old broken masts,this can soften the sail big-time.

I used a 7.8m with a 15cm tip extension and the sail felt like i can hold it in much stronger wind. Used the same size sail few days ago with no tip extension,it felt heavier,albeit it did have less downhaul.

Perhaps these tip extensions are the reason why so many are able to get top-end out of big sails in strong wind?

Tried the recommended 400cm mast in my 5.7m with 33cm extension,then the 430cm mast and performance/feel was similiar,so thinking tip extensions make a larger difference than using a shorter mast.