Mast Mod for extra stiffness

Actually a base plate mod that better supports the mast.
I was hoping for a 50% reduction in flex.
It ended up stiffer than I expected.

1\8" x 2" aluminum 6063 from Lowe's. A little Tig welding (by a friend), and some JB weld to fill in the gaps. Some file and sanding work...

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Piros said..
Wow that's pretty full on. Good idea though. That mast looks really long , did you think about just shortening it a bit and maybe putting some tack welds on the shoulder of the base plate. It would have had a similar result.

Thats a lot of drag to deal with paddling for waves and it would really grab hard on touch downs . I would have just cut my losses and got another foil that doesn't flex so badly. Keep us posted on results.

Originally I thought of it like training wheels. Less flex easier to lean on... Especially behind a boat.

The photo is with the 80cm mast I have shorter masts and smaller wings... I notice flex with the 100cm wing on the 80cm mast, it's not bad, I think it's normal. BUT if I have the option to have next to zero flex with little down side... I figure why not give it a try.

So far I don't notice any extra drag. But I'm sure there is some. The extra surface area is in about the same as a fin so I don't think that's a problem. But the close proximity to the mast has to create some extra trublance, so that's the concern I have as far as extra drag.

If I was to do it again I'd just use the same one plate mount. The second uncut stock plate wasn't needed. I didn't expect it to be as strong as it is. And I'd make it a little shorter like 6" tall instead of all most 8. Then the extra surface area and weight would be next to nothing.

The only down side I have so far is taking it apart I can't wiggle it apart. I have to use a long screw to thread into the mast, the tap it apart.

Thanks Seajuice. I think it could be done without adding any weight also. It was a fun experiment.

So I tested a few things.

Subjectively, I like the extra stability both paddling and flying, seems a little more reactive (less lag feeling) everything just seems a little easier for a tall heavy newb like me.

Objectively.
Flex test, Reduction in flex.
25-28% with a 65cm mast.
20-30% with a 80cm mast.

Weight added 195 grams.

Tested resistance to flow by holding it in water at 50 Kph couldn't hardly tell it was even in the water.

Flex Test was done with 5kg 10kg and 15kg weights on a 90 and 110 degree side load. Stock plate vs my Stiffy.

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tomooh said..
Good work. I was wondering if filling a hollow mast with glass and resin would help with flex and to stop bending. It would add weight but not drag

Yeah I was wondering if people have tried other things like that also.

Have to agree with balinnz. According to the main man behind the Axis foil gear: "Adrian Roper determined that the current range of available masts on the market were simply not stiff enough beyond 70cm length, so he designed a mast that is 216% stiffer and that will provide the most direct feeling connection between the rider, their board and the amazing Axis Hydrofoils."

A lot less drag with an inexpensive Axis mast than with the bracing shown here. Stiff all the way to the foil too

So can some on shine in on mask flex is it really no good & why ??

My new carbon mash has some flex like a fair bit more that the NP but it doesn't feel better or worse when up and riding ... I don't think any way unless I'm missing something ..

I see most companies are moving to carbon masks as well