I started with the Armstrong S1 aluminum system and I’m wondering if it makes sense to stay exclusively with aluminum masts and fuselages, or if upgrading to carbon is really worth it.
For those with experience on both, what are the real advantages and disadvantages in terms of performance, feel, durability, and value?
I have the same question. I have the aluminum mast. I wish you could just upgrade the fuse or mast one at a time, but the configuration is different so you’d have to buy both at once.
I had a starboard foil that I had to take apart every time I used it, to wash it. I love how that’s not an issue with Armstrong. I just rinse it off with a garden sprayer before I put it in my car.
So, I’ve just bought the Armstrong MA Mk II 790 and the 205 Surf stabilizer. I’m still using the 72 cm aluminum mast and aluminum fuselage.
This upgrade worked well for me, but I’m starting to feel that I may need a longer mast, and I’m not sure whether I should stay with aluminum or move to carbon.
I’ve been on Armstrong full carbon setups since 2020 and I think the main reason I couldn’t do Aluminum is the maintenance - I prefer to remove the Mast to Fuse screws, rotate the whole assembly flat, and leave in my car at all times (vs. the recommended removal of front and tail wing from the T Assembly).
A few more thoughts:
-Upgrading to a carbon fuse a la carte is probably the lowest ROI in the equation - there is a strong argument to be made for Alu, Steel, or Titanium in those positions for given all of the forces at play.
-Carbon mast is a big upgrade - weight, responsiveness, and drag … it’s much harder to get a progressive taper for a low drag design, or shape a foil into a metal mast
-If you want an upgrade, with a slightly lower price tag, could we worth considering the A+ standard carbon mast. Especially if you are on a smaller front wing where there is less twist/torque, this could be a plenty stiff mast, with a bit less weight that the High Performance Mast
there is so much variance in skill level and context around your conditions, discipline etc that this is absolutely one to try before you buy, for some people it’s instant never look back, others don’t even notice the difference.
My personal opinion is that in a general sense, a UHM mast is something that anyone competent will eventually own, and the performance gains are really something, but it’s a huge investment and you should be at a point where it feels amazing rather than something you grow into.
If it was a choice between a mast and another foil, probably another foil.