Lots of threads about sails not working with masts both now and historically so I did an ai deep dive to confirm brand differences.
If a brand is not listed I couldn't find the data.
What stands out is that every brand uses a different bend curve. Some brands it varies depending on mast length. Some brands also change from year to year meaning some pros get new masts from year to year. What stands out is whilst there are the rare crossovers it doesn't take much before a mast goes from being ideal to not so ideal.. Designers wouldn't design to 0.5% unless it made a difference to them. Not to say as punters we need to be within 0.5% but looking at the numbers below more than 1% and we may not like the results. Additionally the data below does not take into account variations in stiffness, taper and outside diameter which are also different from brand to brand and within each brands range.
and the real issue which is hiding in plain site. all the data below is taken by measuring the mast and not what happens when you load up the mast with the correct downhaul tension. Even though 2 masts may have the same bend curve percentages they will perform differently due to luff curve, carbon content, reflex, taper etc etc. yes it's a minefield.
Hoping more brands make their numbers available however I get it's IP.
Powerex 64/76
Unifiber cc 62.5/76
Unifiber fh 64/79
Unifiber fl 62/77
Duotone 61-63/75-77 depending on length.. the sls varies from year to year to suit sails.
Goya 340 - 65/78, 370&400 - 64.5/79, 430 - 64/78, 460&490 - 64/77
Neil Pryde 400 to 490 - 61/77 not confirmed.
North (pre 2017) 63/75-76 3di era varies.
S2 Maui 63-65/74-76
Ezzy 62/77
No limitz original 64-64.5/77-77.5, Sumo (stiffer imcs) 370 - 64/78.5, 400&430 - 64.5/77, 460 - 64.5/76.5
Sailworks - same as nolimitz sumo.
both point 7 and severne use different points to measure their bend curve..
Excellent topic !. And good info. Thanks mate.
For some, this complexity has killed Windsurfing. Some others, it's made the sport more interesting. I embarrass the extra complexity.
I would "guess" that sails have a higher manufacturing error than masts. Therefore, it would be easier to change the mast in order to fix tuning issues of a given batch of sails.
I think the Severne +7 point thingie may be marketing. I spoke to a mast manufacturer once that specified with 3 points (I won't mention the unit they used, as I don't want to create any friction between them and Severne). They said they produced masts for Severne, and others. This was the time period when Severne were marketing this 7 point thing by a few years. If you are outsourcing a part, how can you tell a fabricator to specify +7 points, when their tooling is 3 ?
that's an interesting question. As luck would have it I have 2 horses and a full batch of severne and simmer masts. do I have the time and desire to measure is the question. while severne is considered cc I'm betting it's leaning towards the hard top as I know many people that use north masts and are very happy with them in their severne sails even though the heads look looser than stock.
Agree this has killed it for some.. also can't help but notice the people on marketplace selling full quivers of gear with complete mismatch. I often wonder if they would have stuck with it with the correct gear..
we are kinda now stuck in this space where constant curve gets thrown around without referencing that it's a scale. Cc, hard top, flex top they only really provide loose context.... the list above lets people make a choice based on data. I'd rather see those numbers getting publicised.
it absolutely blows my mind that beyond consider the right mast for the sail we should also consider buying masts that are similar in age to the sails for some brands. that this changes from year to year with some brands is not really doing any favours to the consumer. I understand those year to year changes won't really make a huge difference but why do we have to accept less than perfect considering the cost. I think I read that duotone recommended upgrading masts every few years to ensure closest match.
simmer as another example released a new masts for their new carbon sails. knowing what I know that really pissed me off..and yes I use the sx10 but now I'm left wondering but I don't want to buy another mast for one sail.so I get left with, don't buy the carbon sail or don't buy the new bend curve mast or just wonder what the differences are.
