Mast Track Position

[@StephaneFitch]

Dude! Thank you so much for this. I’ve never seen a good explanation for how to properly position my mast base. Thank you!

[@oceanairsports2555]

You are very welcome Stephane! I'm always happy to help with some tips, so just let me know if you have any questions regarding anything windsurfing. Happy sailing, Mike

[@oregonxyz]

I have been windsurfing for almost 30 years and I had no idea what the mast track meant. Thanks!

[@Lucka_Ka]

Perfect explanation! I finally get it! Thank you ❤

[@severnewindsurfingnorthamerica]

Glad we could help!

[@MWalsh-oo1ge]

Thanks Mike. Love these videos.

[@severnewindsurfingnorthamerica]

Any time! Feel free to reach out with any questions at all!

[@thomasfolan2716]

Excellent Mike. Great reminder about when moving to a weed fin. Thanks !

[@Tobeon2]

Omg...it helps soooo much...Thank you !!

Hey Mike. Thanks so much for this video. Quick question : do you move the mast when you change sail size?

[@leslieheine2618]

Hey Mike, Les here! Remembering our Heckscher days. Hope you doing well bro.

[@severnewindsurfingnorthamerica]

@@leslieheine2618 hi Les! Yes, we've been great! Moved to the Outer Banks 8 hears ago and we've been having a blast with perfect windsurf conditions since! I hope all is well with you too.

[@rashaadadams1189]

Very good

[@2skeletonz14]

Can you add/mount a 2-bolt quick release mast foot base to an inflatable SUP board? Glue one on? Strap one on to 4 D-rings? Just asking for a friend...8-}

[@oceanairsports2555]

We would not recommend trying to put a mast base on an inflatable SUP board that was not built specifically to windsurf. Windsurf SUPs have reinforced seams where the stresses of windsurfing will affect the board. Glue will 100%, definitely not hold it. If the glue does hold, it will likely rip the skin right off the board on a fall. Letting it rest on the board itself without proper reinforcement is just asking for trouble. Starboard makes some of the most durable Inflatable Windsurf boards on the market with welded seams. They have some really nice Windsurf Specific inflatables that can have all the windsurf parts removed for a perfect flat deck for SUP. Starboard has the 11'2" Windsurf SUP Deluxe in stock now. Also the Airplane 242. It actually gets planing if there's enough wind. Check them out! windsurf.star-board.com/windsurfing-boards/inflatable-windsurfing-boards/sup-windsurfing-inflatable-board/

[@2skeletonz14]

@@oceanairsports2555 Gotcha. I thought from the video he had some how mounted the base himself onto the board, some sort of hack if you take my meaning..After checking out your website, I see how the base mount is built into the board. I have checked out your website, left a message about Tonasket, WA. and got a responce. Appreciate your reply.

[@Windsurfwannabe]

So the position has nothing to do with sail size?

[@severnewindsurfingnorthamerica]

Sail size is the least important reason for moving the mast track on modern boards. Changing mast track position will change the way the board acts and this is purely user preference. Some boards react to this change far more than others. For example, I use the same exact mast base position on my Psycho 102 from 4.4 to 5.8. Same position on my Fox 3 125 for both my 6.8 and 7.8 Moto. I always prefer the mast back in the box to get the boards flying at a higher top speed. The Fox 3 in particular has a large V section that plants itself in the water when the mast track is further forward which gives the board tremendous control and a more relaxed feel. More advanced riders will want that V out of the water and gain another 5 knots or so of top end speed.

[@Windsurfwannabe]

@@severnewindsurfingnorthamerica and what about rider weight? Should a heavier rider use the mast far forward than a lighter rider?

[@severnewindsurfingnorthamerica]

@@Windsurfwannabe Regardless of rider weight, the mast track will still change the way the board rides. Same rules apply to all riders. The mast foot is what is applying pressure to the nose of the board, not the rider's weight. So bring the mast back and it releases pressure from the nose. Push the mast track forward and it applies pressure to the nose. The rider will always be fixed in the straps.

[@wallabypumba]

I feel that when I put it too backwards, the board is sinking on the back therefore creating more drag and making it harder to accelerate, so I dont feel Im going faster but rather the opposite. Would you agree that putting it too back could also decrease speed/acceleration? Thanks!

[@oceanairsports2555]

Hi Isaac! You may be feeling that the board is not planing up as early if the mast track is too far back. This is true! If the board doesn't have enough mast base pressure to get planing it will hesitate to release onto a plane. Also, while planing, if the sail has too much power, the nose will lift without enough pressure to keep it riding flat which will also make the board slower. On the opposite end, having the mast base forward will make getting going easier, but if it's too far forward, the nose will stick and the board absolutely will not reach it's full potential for speed once your'e up and going. As the boards have gotten shorter, the mast base position is even more crucial. There will be that perfect spot, which is different for every sailor / board / fin combination. In general, taking an expert rider and putting them on a fully powered windsurf board. Moving the base too far forward will make the nose stick and not let the board reach top speed and moving it too far back will have the rider loosing control easier which also doesn't let the board reach it's full speed potential. Most newer boards I've ridden, (Slalom, Freestyle and freeride,) I find the sweet spot to be just behind the center of the mast track. Not all the way back. When I set up my boards, I start with the base right in the middle, and hit the water to get that feeling of the board. Then I move it all the way back and try it that way. My base almost always ends up somewhere reward of center for better speed and maneuverability while also maintaining 100% control. Even moving the base by just 1 cm can make a big difference! And you might find different positions work better for you depending on the conditions. Hope that helps! Mike

[@johnhayes7603]

@@oceanairsports2555 Mike, any thoughts about mast track position and really heavy (280lb) riders ?

[@oceanairsports2555]

@@johnhayes7603 This is a tough one for me since I've never been in that weight range personally to experience it. The physics of moving the mast track are always going to remain the same no matter what your weight is. My thinking is that a heavier rider might ride with the track a bit more forward on the same gear as someone much lighter. My thinking is that the heavier rider will always be using the kit at it's top end of the wind range where all the gear will be creating more lift all the time. Since the kit is maxed out, I would think that getting the nose down easier by nudging the mast track forward would be the way to go. They key is to take away the original advise of: If the nose is flying in the air and you're out of control at full speed, bump the mast base forward a bit until the board settles down. If the nose is sticking in chop and you feel like you should be going faster, bump the mast base back a hair until everything feels like it's going fast and still in control. There will be a sweet spot that is different for every rider. Even riders of the same weight that simply have different preferences on how they want the board to feel. The next windy day put the base all the way forward in the track. Do a few runs, then move it all the way back and do a few runs. Remember how the board felt in both positions and start moving it towards the center of the track from the ride you preferred more until you find that perfect spot. Happy sailing! Mike

[@Dantanalicious]

Agree, further back = slower and forward = faster when fully powered.