Howdy!

I am looking for advice about the best choice of mast for a NP Ryde 7.0.

I have read that 430 would be better than 460, but I am not sure about RDM or SDM - it seams that 7.0 is right on the edge of where you switch from RDM to SDM. I do also have a NP Fusion 6.0, and RDM would be best for that one, but the 7.0 is my preferred sail.

Thanks in advance :)
- Christian

Tanks for your reply MrCranky

I am about 72 kg.

Looking at NP's mast extensions, then it seams that they doesn't make 40 cm RDM, witch I would need for a 430 mast - I guess it not a good combination then...

Do you sail your 7.0 in low, mid or high wind conditions compared to your weight? If it's the first 2 go with SDM. Is it the latter with a tendency towards high wind then pick the RDM. The RDM will give the sail a softer feel and increase the high wind capabilities. SDM masts in general give a sail a more solid powered up feel compared to RDM masts. SDM will give the sail better low wind grunt compared to RDM but can be a handfull when properly powered up.

Both with RDM and SDM pick the 430 mast with a 34 cm extension. No need for a 40+ cm extension. The Ryde 7.0 requires 464 cm of luff so the 34 cm extension will do just fine. I've had tons of NP sails over the last 6 seasons and none required a longer extension setting as advised. Must note that I only use the NP MXT extensions both RDM and SDM. Also used the UXT SDM and found that extension als requires the spec settings.

chrills said..

TheTank said..
Do you sail your 7.0 in low, mid or high wind conditions compared to your weight? If it's the first 2 go with SDM. Is it the latter with a tendency towards high wind then pick the RDM. The RDM will give the sail a softer feel and increase the high wind capabilities. SDM masts in general give a sail a more solid powered up feel compared to RDM masts. SDM will give the sail better low wind grunt compared to RDM but can be a handfull when properly powered up.

Both with RDM and SDM pick the 430 mast with a 34 cm extension. No need for a 40+ cm extension. The Ryde 7.0 requires 464 cm of luff so the 34 cm extension will do just fine. I've had tons of NP sails over the last 6 seasons and none required a longer extension setting as advised. Must note that I only use the NP MXT extensions both RDM and SDM. Also used the UXT SDM and found that extension als requires the spec settings.

I use the sail in mid and low wind conditions, but I would like a bigger sail for low wind, maybe around 7.8.

I use a FLX35 430 SDM mast at the moment, but would like to upgrade to FLX70. I have tried a 34 cm extension with the Ryde, but it needs 1-2 cm. more downhaul, therefore I got myself an 48 cm extension and I would expect that it would be the same with a RDM mast.

Thanks for your advise, I will go for the SDM :)

Cheers,
Christian

I'm 70 kg and was in a similar situation last year. I had a 6.1 fusion and a 430 rdm mast and wanted a bigger sail. I specifically didn't want an SDM mast (new extension), so I ended up with a Severne 7.5 turbo and a 460 75% rdm mast. Some experts (and NP) think that rdm should be no longer than 430. I didn't enjoy the turbo, replaced it with a 7.5 NCX and that was my gateway drug into Severne sails (sold all my NP sails). Ridiculously stable sail, not a great bottom end, but the stronger the gusts, the faster it goes. Alas, I've decided that big sails are not for me. They give a few more knots earlier planing and that's it. And where I sail the water is rough even in 17 knots. What I have come to realize is that the lighter the wind, the more important it is to have a light mast and a stiff carbon boom. IMO, at your weight the biggest sail you can rig on 430 100% mast will be better than a bigger sail on a low carbon 460 mast.

Well worth reading

http://www.loftsails.com/tips-for-building-a-windsurfing-sail-quiver.htm

www.windsurf.co.uk/all-a-quiver/