I often touch bottom with my 70cm but also want to be able to foil shallower spots and points. Does a 40cm mast work ok or is it simply too short? Would there be anything to gain skillwise using such a short mast? Will it actually make your technique worse once you jump back to something over 70cm? ( learn to foil low on the mast). Im a bit leary of striking the foil wing with my feet with it being so much closer to the board too (more specifically for a 40cm mast). Cabrinha offers a 40cm mast. I know its supposed to be for early stages of learning but I wonder if there are additional benefits to so short.
get a SUP , makes a huge difference in avoiding hitting bottom
So you catch the waves earlier and further out? Makes sense. 40cm seems way too short when I think about it. But maybe 55 to 60 cm would be an ok compromise for foiling shallower points etc?
I am using a 53 cm mast for teaching total beginners. Takes away all fear of foiling too high and then falling in. It’s super fun to wing foil this setup myself as well.
A first time student behind a boat, with some former windsurfing and wake boarding experience. A short mast helps to learn the important things first, like riding in a straight line and learning the height control. Magic.
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There was a guy who used to ride a 14" mast in Malibu. He hated hitting rocks. They’re fine for going straight. You’re never going to lean them over in a real turn though. The SUP allows for taking off further out and then you’re on foil. Once you’re on foil it doesn’t matter how long your mast is. It only matters how deep you keep the foil. 
Ride higher.
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I guess I need to start looking for sup board now. Any ideas what size/dims/model would be good?
Oh man I need to get on that group! Thanks I will check it out