Thanks Mike for clear explanation. I’m now sailing Severn Freeks and using my existing Ezzy Hooikipa masts that I like as you can mix and match tops and bottoms to have the least mask for a given sail size. So that is 15 vs 13 so a larger gap. How big a deal is this? What are the characteristics of a good versus bad mast/sail pairing on the water?
I know quite a few folks using Ezzy masts with either Severne Blades or Freeks and love the combo and much prefer it over their old combo! 2 points is as far as I would recommend going in either direction. A bit further could even still be usable but you'll start noticing some loss of performance Personally, I've used the 400cm Goya 99 masts for my 5.9 and down for the past 3-4 seasons since Severne RDM Red masts were pretty much unobtainium. Those are 1.5 points more felxtop from Severne and honestly I would be hard pressed to tell you which mast I like better. The softer top of the Goya 99 gave me a springier feeling Freek that worked great while the Severne Red RDM gives me a bit more on the low end and lift in the backwinded power moves. I noticed a weight difference from my NoLimitz Sumo to the Red RDM MUCH more than a mast that's only 1.5 points off from Severne. Ezzy masts are on the verge of being flex top, and are pretty heavy. The Ezzy's you're using are probably giving you 90% of what your Freeks have to offer compared to a Severne Gorilla (75% carbon) which runs about the same weight as the Ezzy Hookipa. You would notice a good improvement with Severne RDM Blue and a Severne RDM Red would blow your mind. For example an Ezzy Hookipa 400 weights 1.71 KG which is even heavier that Severne 75% carbon, bombproof Gorilla RDM 400 at 1.65 KG. The holy grail of Severne masts, the Severne Red RDM 400cm weighs only 1.3 KG and will make a BIG difference in your Severne sail that asks for a RDM mast. Your Ezzy Hookipa 400 weighs more than a Severne Red 460..... One thing to note is that you will have to tweak the tuning of the sail depending on the mast bend. I noticed that I used 1 -2 cm less downhaul and 1-2 cm more outhaul with a more flex top mast compared to a Severne mast. Hope that helps! Happy sailing, Mike
@@severnewindsurfingnorthamerica Thanks Mike for the thorough explanation! I try experimenting with the downhaul for now and may have to try a Severne mast next time I'm down your way!
Great explanation. Thanks for sharing this.
Great explanation!
This is great information. Thank you.
Thanks Mike for clear explanation. I’m now sailing Severn Freeks and using my existing Ezzy Hooikipa masts that I like as you can mix and match tops and bottoms to have the least mask for a given sail size. So that is 15 vs 13 so a larger gap. How big a deal is this? What are the characteristics of a good versus bad mast/sail pairing on the water?
I know quite a few folks using Ezzy masts with either Severne Blades or Freeks and love the combo and much prefer it over their old combo! 2 points is as far as I would recommend going in either direction. A bit further could even still be usable but you'll start noticing some loss of performance
Personally, I've used the 400cm Goya 99 masts for my 5.9 and down for the past 3-4 seasons since Severne RDM Red masts were pretty much unobtainium. Those are 1.5 points more felxtop from Severne and honestly I would be hard pressed to tell you which mast I like better. The softer top of the Goya 99 gave me a springier feeling Freek that worked great while the Severne Red RDM gives me a bit more on the low end and lift in the backwinded power moves. I noticed a weight difference from my NoLimitz Sumo to the Red RDM MUCH more than a mast that's only 1.5 points off from Severne.
Ezzy masts are on the verge of being flex top, and are pretty heavy. The Ezzy's you're using are probably giving you 90% of what your Freeks have to offer compared to a Severne Gorilla (75% carbon) which runs about the same weight as the Ezzy Hookipa. You would notice a good improvement with Severne RDM Blue and a Severne RDM Red would blow your mind. For example an Ezzy Hookipa 400 weights 1.71 KG which is even heavier that Severne 75% carbon, bombproof Gorilla RDM 400 at 1.65 KG. The holy grail of Severne masts, the Severne Red RDM 400cm weighs only 1.3 KG and will make a BIG difference in your Severne sail that asks for a RDM mast. Your Ezzy Hookipa 400 weighs more than a Severne Red 460.....
One thing to note is that you will have to tweak the tuning of the sail depending on the mast bend. I noticed that I used 1 -2 cm less downhaul and 1-2 cm more outhaul with a more flex top mast compared to a Severne mast.
Hope that helps!
Happy sailing,
Mike
@@severnewindsurfingnorthamerica Thanks Mike for the thorough explanation! I try experimenting with the downhaul for now and may have to try a Severne mast next time I'm down your way!
@@iamjnelson You're very welcome! I should have some extra Red RDM 370 and 400s you can take for a "spin" one day ;-)