Frothers…
I recently picked up a 95cm 30% carbon mast (on sale) from Naish as the 85cm I run is showing some wear and plus I thought having some more room on larger swell days when winging sounded about right.
I took the 95cm mast out on a whim to see the difference, if any, on a day where I was training in flatwater. I found an interesting thing and thought I would share to see if I’m reading this right.
The paddle ups were VERY different from each other. The signature on the foil varied in several key ways. More drag. I could feel the extra 10cm of mast in the first few strokes. Not massive but def noticeable. Once I got past the first 3-4 sprint paddles I really noticed the feeling of the longer fulcrum. As I am pulling the board and foil forward with my back foot on the step the signature was very different. It took longer to get into flight VS the 85cm. Once there it felt more powerful. Like with a kite and longer lines the power stroke had more power. I also loved the extra height to leverage the foil once up and it got me thinking.
Is the longer fulcrum angle better for flatwater/tidal conditions? Does the longer fulcrum swing angle like the longer wavelengths of rolling swell VS shorter steeper swell? It felt more stable and if I could pump at the right time it felt faster. I think that makes sense, that in rolling swell the longer fulcrum pump would capture more of the energy beneath the water.
I can tell you the flex of the mast is more in the 95 VS 85 which makes sense. The almost 4 foot wingspan of the 1800 Glider would put significant torsional flex on the mast. I found it really likes linear input. What I mean is my foot placement is more in the middle of the board… when I do that the headshake diminishes. I can push the foil a little across the board twisting it with the 85 on the pump where if I try that on the 95 the headshake is considerable. She just wants to buck me off.
This makes me wonder about 100p carbon. Im just starting to now dial in the load up and feel the flex on my masts. Particularity on the paddle up and on quick turns, twisting the top deck to release the energy down the line of the swell. (often times I have to take off against the tide - then turn once up down the line of the swell) James Casey says he prefers the flex as he can use the energy - almost like flex on a hockey stick when shooting… Most say that it really is worth upgrading to a full carbon mast if you are running a big wing. But it is a mixed bag out there in terms of carbon VS cost. I guess I have three questions:
- Is my math on the longer fulcrum correct in terms of matching the energy of a longer wavelength? Could then a 95 or 105cm mast be best for those conditions?
Has anyone tried a 105cm mast for flatwater paddleups ??
- Carbon. It seems to me that a full carbon setup would help reduce headshake and aid in stability. Is there any downsides besides cost?
Has anyone tried a 105cm mast for flatwater paddleups ??
