Winged for 4+ years and prone foiled 2+. I'm about to sell all of my current gear. Ive never had HM masts before, im in the water a lot and am all about waves strapless with no jumping.
I can buy either;
1) 1 HM 85 mast. 1 Alu 75 mast. 2 Foils 2 Stabs.
2) 1 85cm & 1 Alu 75 mast. 3 Foils and 3 stabs
My gut feeling is another foil/stab as the fun factor that will bring. Anyone had similar decisions?
Get the HM mast in the 75. That stiffness and efficiency matter more for pump around prone foiling than winging. You can wing on any garbage mast!
Select to expand quoteTooMuchEpoxy said..
Get the HM mast in the 75. That stiffness and efficiency matter more for pump around prone foiling than winging. You can wing on any garbage mast!
I've settled on an 80 mm mast. Works great for all days provided your focus is on wave and swell riding. Really depends on your prone set up and if you are regularly hitting reef while paddling, or just the occasional touch down while sitting. And conversely, for winging if you are speed running and flying out on the low side of steep chop. Also depends on your weight and wing spans. Long HA foils will bend a carbon mast regardless of the HM content which you would feel during high speed winging and transitions. If you are a Clyesdale that might be a problem where a normal weight rider would not be on a big wing with so much load from speed.
Are you referring to the F-One HM 14? I only ever use 2 foils, and 2 stabs, as our conditions are stable; either ok to good, or not worth the trip!
Best compromise for prone and wing as mentioned is around the 80cm mark. I use one mast for both. Go HM mast - it's the most important foundational part of your whole setup. All the brands now offer excellent foil and stab options now - so
much good gear out there.
