I currently ride a Axis High Mod 82cm mast using mostly the fireball 1500/1350 and art pro 1401 wings. I find that the mast is plenty stiff and does what I want but was wondering if there was a substantial benefit to going to either the fatty mast/fuse or to the ultra high mod mast?
Has anyone out there ridden the high mod and the ultra high mod or fatty that can tell me how they compare in stiffness? I’m a little concerned on the fatty masts weight and width giving it more drag.
Or maybe a Cedrus mast are those comparable? Trying to stay away from adapters
fatty 80: slightly slower, very direct. Makes a big enough difference for png 1300v2 that I’d always take it. If you make a mistake pumping, it doesn’t bend, it kicks you off.
hmpc 75: heavier, slightly slipperier. (the fatty fuse makes the whole thing heavier though)
takuma aluminum 75: wobbly, but provides a soft cushioned ride.
I’m 186(86k) I will always dock start >1000width wings with the fatty, but winging I’ll often use the hmpc due to tides.
Thanks for the feedback! What do you think about surfing and down winding if you had to choose between the hpmc or fatty which one would you pick?
I have the HM, Ultra and Fatty masts, all my wings are the larger Fireballs from 1070 to 1750 except a Surge 1010 for para.
The Fatty is my last purchase and mandatory for the 1750 but is the go to now for the 1500 and 1350 Fireballs. Your mainly flat water pumping or tiny swell riding at slow speeds so the thicker Fatty isn’t an issue.
Once we get a bit more wind swell coming through I go back to the Ultra 800 as I’m doing a lot more gliding rather than pumping and you want a nice slippery mast. The Surge 1010 only goes on the Ultra.
The Fatty transforms the larger span wings, making the ride rock solid and easy control in small swells, something the Ultra doesn’t do. I recommend the Fatty on wings 1350 and above, maybe the larger PNG’s too.
The fatty has a very large chord though so it will effect turning.
We are talking wide span wings 1350mm wide plus, I don’t think lack of sharp turning is an issue. I find zero issues turning these big wings but too much tip breaching can come into the equation if you turn too sharp.
Thanks for the insight! I’m thinking of picking up the fireball 1750 in the future. I think I’ll go with the fatty mast and fuse to stiffen everything up. I love to do turns but to your point they aren’t sharp or fast so the fatty chord shouldn’t be an issue.
Do you notice an improvement in turning with the stiffer mast. Like better control easier to apply power with the fatty mast?
It’s really solid, even against twisting.
I’m curious how it stacks up vs the cedrus aluminum, but if you don’t want adapters, it’s the mast.
I don’t surf or dw yet.
While the FB 1750 turns like a dog the 1350 isn’t the case and I hear the 1500 turns okay. I wouldn’t want to make the turning worse without need.
I’ve ridden the FB 1750 on the Fatty, the Takoon PE 1800 (1.9m span) on the Takoon 18 mm HM mast and the Takoon PP 1950 (1.6m span) on the Cedrus Clydesdale. The torsional stiffness (which is what matters to me) is definitely best on the Cedrus. I would put the Takoon HM 18mm second but it’s close between it and Fatty.
The Fatty won’t improve the turning but will make it feel more solid underfoot. I hopped back on the Ultra today with the 1350, the extra flex was really noticeable compared to the Fatty. And the Fatty is less than half the price of the Ultra it’s a no brainer for wide span wings.
For those interested in the comparison: Axis Fatty vs. Cedrus Clydesdale – Foil Cedrus
There is absolutely zero play or reduction in stiffness with the Cedrus evolution adapter system. 2x M10 stainless pins and 2x M8 Ti screws make for an insanely stiff and strong connection. Feel free to reach out through the site if you have any specific questions.
Could you add this data to the earlier mast comparison? And updating with any other new masts you’ve tested would be great.