# Prone foil mast length **URL:** \ **Category:** Prone Surf Foiling\ **Created:** [November 16, 2022, 6:27pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964 "2022-11-16T18:27:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Riverman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/0ea827/32.png) [@Riverman](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Riverman)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2022, 6:27pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964/1 "2022-11-16T18:27:49Z")
Hey all. I am a proficient wind and wing foiler looking to get into prone surf foiling. Mast length options for my foil would be 72, 82 or 92 cm. I understand the obvious tendency to hit bottom more often with a longer mast. Aside from that, based on your experience, which mast length would you choose and why? Thanks, Frank ---
**Author:** ![Hdip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a4c791/32.png) [@Hdip](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Hdip)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2022, 6:51pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964/2 "2022-11-16T18:51:43Z")
If you have the water depth to use the 82 then use that. It works better for the wider wing spans that are typical now. More mast length to lay over a turn without poking a tip. If you don’t have enough water depth for that, go 72. The 92 is to long for prone. Puts the foil below the wave energy in 1 footers. ---
**Author:** ![foilstate](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/foilstate/32/1503_2.png) [@foilstate](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/foilstate)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 9:24am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964/3 "2022-11-17T09:24:21Z")
Short mast : Plus : make the turn easier to handle as the wing is closer to your feet Plus : you fly the wing closer to the surface so you collect the bumps energy better and less felt drag, easier to pump Minus : the wing breaches quicker so you can’t bank hard turns especially if choppy sea, and you will breach and blow out more often 82cm is a great all around as soon as there is a bit of energy in the waves. 72 for tiny waves, 92 for winging massive chops. ---
**Author:** ![Matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Matt](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Matt)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964/4 "2022-11-17T20:15:23Z")
If you can’t surf then go shorter, you’ll appreciate the ability to push into waves and catch smaller waves, and the speed is low that the height isn’t a huge advantage ---
**Author:** ![exiled](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de053/32.png) [@exiled](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/exiled)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2022, 9:26pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964/5 "2022-11-17T21:26:31Z")
I’ve liked the 82 length for the same reasons @Hdip mentioned. If you are a smaller guy riding smaller wings, a shorter mast will be a little more responsive so the trade offs will be a little more in favor of the 72. ---
**Author:** ![TooMuchEpoxy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@TooMuchEpoxy](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/TooMuchEpoxy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 1:15am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964/6 "2022-11-18T01:15:26Z")
I like my shorter mast setups. Everything’s a little more responsive and snappier with the mid aspects, even winging. Less flex, less mast in the water so less drag. I get on a tall mast and/or a big HA wing and it’s easier on the cardio and mellow turning with the big sweet spot but doesn’t have that magic. It’s a sport, it’s not supposed to be easy! Short span mid aspect on a short mast is a riot. ---
**Author:** ![Jonnpow](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/jonnpow/32/10_2.png) [@Jonnpow](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Jonnpow)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2022, 6:34pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964/7 "2022-11-20T18:34:21Z")
Also depends on what size waves your willing to paddle into. If you want to learn by catching smaller waves, they break in shallower water and will require a shorter mast. Especially if your learning on beach breaks running into shallower water vs crumbling/rolling sets on the outside that seem to break/run into deeper water. With a 70cm mast you can even just walk out up to your neck and learn to pop up on whitewater. With a 90cm mast getting out can leave you dry docking while trying to duck-dive! ---
**Author:** ![FoilFondler](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/foilfondler/32/299_2.png) [@FoilFondler](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/FoilFondler)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2022, 7:11pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964/8 "2022-11-20T19:11:55Z")
One interesting factor, particularly with beach breaks, it’s how fast you can get up on foil. When I was struggling (more), with the fg board not being able to put the mast back enough, I was compensating with smaller foils and stabs, so even if I could stand up I’d struggle to get the foil up for long enough that I’d run aground. Once I switched boards I realized I could go with more lift and pretty much stopped hitting bottom. ---
**Author:** ![BigWinds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9de053/32.png) [@BigWinds](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/BigWinds)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 11:43pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964/9 "2022-11-21T23:43:45Z")
They both (72cm or 82cm) work well! If the conditions are clean and the waves are relatively mellow I prefer the 72cm because it is more responsive… AKA I feel like I can transition from my heels to toes (or toes to heels) faster on it allowing for a “snappier” feel. I also feel like I can get it up to speed with less paddle effort… If the conditions are a bit bigger or messier then I gravitate to the 82cm mast there is just more margin for error there when riding in harder conditions or at higher speeds. ---
**Author:** ![Riverman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/0ea827/32.png) [@Riverman](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Riverman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 8:39pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/prone-foil-mast-length/964/10 "2022-11-25T20:39:21Z")
Thanks for all the great ideas! Went with the 82. Cheers, Frank