FOIL FRIDAY: SHORT OR LONG MAST?

Big Winds’ winging expert Sam Shannon dives in from the beautiful BVI.

Video Transcript

Welcome back to another Foil Friday. Today we’re talking about what the heck is up with these mast lengths. Why would you want a shorter mast or a longer mast, and how is that going to change your riding. Bringing it to you today from the BVI because, well, it’s just the way it is.

We’ll start with the longer mast. Why would you want a longer mast, and I consider a longer mast 85 cm or more. Kiters, wingers, riding in choppy water where it’s deep – the longer mast is really beneficial. Where you’re going to feel, the cons of a longer mast are if it you’re riding in shallow water. That’s going to be a huge pain in the but. It’s going to turn a little slower, roll a little slower. It’s going to feel a little less reactive. The pros of a longer mast are cut through the chop much better. It’s going to ride a lot higher on that foil. You’ll be able to lean that foil over for better upwind angles, and a little bit more margin of error for foiling out of the water.

Moving onto the shorter mast – that’s 85 cm or less – this is an 80 cm mast here. That size I really think is the Jack of all trades. If you want one size mast to do everything: prone, SUP, play behind a boat, do some winging, some kiting too (it’s a little short for kiting). It’s really the Jack of all trades. You can do it all. Shallow water, the shorter masts offer a direct, turn-y feel over the board. They don’t so much care about going up and down with the chop or having that longer margin of error for sailing those big upwind angles. They really are going for turn-y feel that’s the least amount of drag as possible. Prone surfers, they’re all going to be riding (unless they’re tow-in surfers) 80 cm and shorter masts. SUPers are going to be riding 80 cm or shorter for the most part. They don’t have any need for the longer mast. So, if you’re just getting into the sport, and you’re trying to figure out what mast you should ride, think about where you’re going take the sport. So if you’re a winger, and you also want to kite foil, I would look at something around 85 cm range. If you’re someone that wants to be able to prone and SUP and wing, I would recommend something between 75-85 cm. The shorter masts are typically easier for beginners also. The falls are less extreme. You’re not so high up. They’re just a little easier to get up and learn.

So that’s what the heck’s up with mast lengths. 75-85 for prone, SUP, wing — kinda the Jack of all trades masts. 85 cm or bigger is really going to be more exclusive to wing or kite. I ride a 93 or 94 when I’m winging out in the Gorge. If I’m traveling I’ll bring a 80 cm like I have here and just be able to do anything I want to do. Thank you so much for watching. See you out on the water. Tune in next Friday for more tips!