Pending a replacement of a broken 430 mast : my Severne Overdrive with a 461 luff says it recommends a 430 mast with 31 cm extension. Is it a bad idea if I just us my 460 mast plus 1 cm extension ?
The mast will be theoretically stiffer, the sail will have a tighter leach and could feel slightly different. The difference may or may not be noticeable. Try it and see if you can live with it.
I've gone the other way using a 430 in a 7m Gator that is 462 luff and it's bloody tops. So not concerned about curve but might be about cams. You're moving the whole mast by 30cm so the dia will be different where cams sit. I doubt it will be bad as if anything they'd be looser not tighter (?) but I would rig it and try before buying
I rigged my m5 7,0 on a 100% Naish mast ,a while back ,luff was tight ,rotation was good ,since brought a 430 90 Severne
Its softer to use with the 430 ,but the 460 was ok till I brought the 430 .note the Naish was pretty much RDM size or very tapered from the bottom battens ,it was ok but compared to the 430 it felt stiffer ,it was bloody hard to get your fingers in to put the boom on .
the mast was softer enough to get enough down haul on .I was surprised how well it rigged .
I bit the bullet and brought the 430 ,no regrets .the 430 SV rigs my Ezzy's perfect 
when I want to free ride .and rig 2 sails .
I have a NP V8 , 8.7 , luff 524.
Says use either 490 or 520 mast. Have both in SPX 95% masts of same year.
Soooo much better with 490. Even in light wind and I'm heavy. You would presume the stiffer mast be better for heavy me. The 520 feels heavy and dead , no matter how I adjust it. Even with more downhaul twist. ???
Vario top ? If not you'll have a bit of downhaul leftover but that's ok.
Sail will be heavier and stiffer. Not a huge deal when conditions are smoother, a bit less comfortable when gusty.
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..
I have a NP V8 , 8.7 , luff 524.
Says use either 490 or 520 mast. Have both in SPX 95% masts of same year.
Soooo much better with 490. Even in light wind and I'm heavy. You would presume the stiffer mast be better for heavy me. The 520 feels heavy and dead , no matter how I adjust it. Even with more downhaul twist. ???
Just as a heads up. The 490 is the ideal mast in the spec. The 520 is the alternative.
neil pryde vary the bend curve depending on sail size with sails getting progressively more stiff top as the sizes increase. This is a design philosophy other sail designers I know subscribe to for the larger race sail sizes as a stiffer top works better. In Neil prydes case the 490 is flex top and the 520 is cc which would explain your findings. If using the v8 on a race board you'd most likely prefer the 520.
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
I've gone the other way using a 430 in a 7m Gator that is 462 luff and it's bloody tops. So not concerned about curve but might be about cams. You're moving the whole mast by 30cm so the dia will be different where cams sit. I doubt it will be bad as if anything they'd be looser not tighter (?) but I would rig it and try before buying
Hi Mark,
What sort of conditions are you using your 7m gator in? What size board are you pairing it with?
I've seen one for sale but I just can't justify it..... but I want it cause I'm a hoarder.
Select to expand quoteGestalt said..Imax1 said..
I have a NP V8 , 8.7 , luff 524.
Says use either 490 or 520 mast. Have both in SPX 95% masts of same year.
Soooo much better with 490. Even in light wind and I'm heavy. You would presume the stiffer mast be better for heavy me. The 520 feels heavy and dead , no matter how I adjust it. Even with more downhaul twist. ???
Just as a heads up. The 490 is the ideal mast in the spec. The 520 is the alternative.
neil pryde vary the bend curve depending on sail size with sails getting progressively more stiff top as the sizes increase. This is a design philosophy other sail designers I know subscribe to for the larger race sail sizes as a stiffer top works better. In Neil prydes case the 490 is flex top and the 520 is cc which would explain your findings. If using the v8 on a race board you'd most likely prefer the 520.
Yep , totally agree. I only use shorter planing boards. ( my lightwind board is 84 wide and 2.9 long , not that short ).Fun fact , I have a 9.4 V8 and that feels lighter and more alive with the 520 than the 8.7 with the same mast.
Having said all that , I believe I plane just as early with my 8.7 as I do with my 9.4 ??? I feel the 9.4 makes more power , but pushes down harder on the board being counter productive. Probably great on a RB.
Anyone want to buy a as new NP V8 9.4 ?
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..Gestalt said..Imax1 said..
I have a NP V8 , 8.7 , luff 524.
Says use either 490 or 520 mast. Have both in SPX 95% masts of same year.
Soooo much better with 490. Even in light wind and I'm heavy. You would presume the stiffer mast be better for heavy me. The 520 feels heavy and dead , no matter how I adjust it. Even with more downhaul twist. ???
Just as a heads up. The 490 is the ideal mast in the spec. The 520 is the alternative.
neil pryde vary the bend curve depending on sail size with sails getting progressively more stiff top as the sizes increase. This is a design philosophy other sail designers I know subscribe to for the larger race sail sizes as a stiffer top works better. In Neil prydes case the 490 is flex top and the 520 is cc which would explain your findings. If using the v8 on a race board you'd most likely prefer the 520.
Yep , totally agree. I only use shorter planing boards. ( my lightwind board is 84 wide and 2.9 long , not that short ).Fun fact , I have a 9.4 V8 and that feels lighter and more alive with the 520 than the 8.7 with the same mast.
Having said all that , I believe I plane just as early with my 8.7 as I do with my 9.4 ??? I feel the 9.4 makes more power , but pushes down harder on the board being counter productive. Probably great on a RB.
Anyone want to buy a as new NP V8 9.4 ?
Makes sense.. the 520 is the specified mast for the 9.4, the extra downforce enables you to use the sail in higher winds as well fwiw. Stops the board from taking off. Prob great on a formula board. No 9.4 for me I ditched everything above 6.2, then caved and got a 7.2 for an old slalom board but as soon as I'm planing I'm planing on the 6.2 and smaller board anyways.
