Did you know that when wing foiling, in order to adjust your foil properly and sail comfortably, it’s essential not to neglect your mast? Yes, we’re talking about the mast under the board. The size and adjustment of the mast depend on your skill level, wind conditions, and wave conditions for the planned session… In addition to having the right fuselage and foil wings, of course.
Which mast size for which wingfoil level?
The size of the mast is extremely important, depending on the level of the rider. Here are a few tips to help you progress quickly.
Just starting out? Choose a short mast of around 70 cm. This allows you to stay closer to the water and not climb too high all at once. This makes the first flights less intimidating. A short mast also improves stability and eases take-off, especially in light wind conditions or on a spot with little chop. This mast length helps you feel your first glides without having to deal with an overly technical foil.
Are you an experienced rider? Sail with a longer mast, from 80 to 90 cm, or even more, depending on the discipline (waves, swell, speed, freeride, strong wind, light wind). A mast of at least 80 cm offers greater control in wave conditions and makes full use of the foil’s lift. With a longer mast, the board is less affected by chop, which improves stability when going fast.
Finally, there are a number of different mast constructions:
- carbon: these masts are sturdy (as long as they don’t hit a rock), super-rigid, fluid (with virtually no drag), fast, super-handy, light, require less maintenance and are normally unbreakable and won’t bend. However, be careful not to scratch it.
- aluminum: these masts are perfect for starting wing foiling without breaking the bank. Admittedly, they’re heavier than carbon, but they’re more shock-resistant. The advantage of aluminum is not only its price but also its rigidity.
Other wingfoil mast materials include high-modulus and ultra-high-modulus carbon, HR carbon, and pre-impregnated carbon. It’s up to you to choose the one best suited to your skills. These are thinner and offer better performance… Especially with more experience!
Which mast size for which weather conditions?
Did you know? The size of the mast is also chosen based on the wind conditions and the state of the water you usually ride on (waves, swell, flat water, or choppy water).
For light wind conditions and calm water, a short mast (70–75 cm) is sufficient for enjoying yourself and flying calmly. You’ll take off more easily and quickly if you’re new to wingfoiling, especially with a large front foil wing. What’s more, if the water is shallow for the first few meters, a short mast minimizes the risk of hitting the bottom quickly and ensures better stability. It’s ideal for relaxed freeride sessions.
On the other hand, in strong winds and pronounced swells, a long mast (85 to 90 cm) is highly recommended. It allows you to ride the waves better, staying above the chop and foam. As a result, there’s less risk of touching the surface of the water. This mast length is particularly useful for advanced surfers looking for a stronger wing sensation, such as free-flying, i.e. surfing the swell and making long curves in the trough of offshore waves. On the other hand, this type of mast reduces drag (so you go faster) and improves foil lift when the wind is a bit rough. The long mast offers greater stability in these conditions, especially if you use a carbon foil mast.
If you like speed and your favorite spot is more or less flat, a minimum mast length of 100 cm is what you need. This means that even the slightest chop won’t bother you and, above all, it will be easier for you to take a greater angle when sailing close to the wind (upwind). This means you can lean your body further back, which is known as counter-heeling. You can also push harder on your back leg without the foil coming completely out of the water, preventing you from stalling.
As for surf foil (wingfoil in waves that break this time, not the swell), opt for a fairly short mast to lower your center of gravity. Ideally, a length of around 65-70 cm is the best way to start surfing beachside waves. As you gain experience, you can gradually increase the size of the mast. The higher you are on a rolling wave, the more complicated it will be to manage the board’s trim.
What is the optimum position for the foil mast?
What is the optimum position for the foil mast?
The position of the mast depends on the rider’s level and the weather conditions. Placing the foil under the board is essential for good balance and maneuverability. If you’re equipped with a double US box, it’s easy to adjust the mast: either by moving it forward or backward. For neo wingfoilers, we recommend placing the foil more towards the nose of the board. This facilitates take-off (i.e. better lift) by providing more lift from take-off and initial acceleration. Especially in light wind conditions. By moving the mast all the way forward, the board becomes more stable, but this can make maneuverability (transitions, turning) more difficult. Such a setting is also advisable on spots with few waves. The heavier the rider, the more the foil needs to be moved forward in the learning phase. Lighter riders can move the mast forward, but not as far. For more experienced riders, or in strong wind conditions, moving the foil back offers much greater responsiveness and maneuverability. However, you need good control to avoid taking off too quickly or losing your balance. With a high aspect foil (a fairly flat, wide-span front wing), you can move the mast back to gain speed and glide, while easing transitions. If you’re in a progression phase, for example when you start to jibe or fly without falling too much, the best option is to place your mast in the center.
Mast position according to wind force :
For easier upwind sailing, it’s a good idea to move your mast forward. This allows you to exert less force on your legs and tuck your wing less. The board will pitch up less, making it “lighter” thanks to the rider’s more evenly distributed weight. Conversely, for downwind (wind more or less at your back) and long bottoms (turns in the trough of the wave), moving the foil back optimizes the angle and makes it easier to get back on the wave and ride it.
Mast position depending on water conditions:
If you’re comfortable winging a foil on flat water, don’t hesitate to move your foil back a little at a time… just like in the waves. And if you’re less confident, fix it forward, then gradually toward the center. Once again, the position of the foil mast also depends on the rider’s weight. The heavier you are, the further forward you need to move the foil.
How can I reduce foil drag?
How to fly, how to glide more fluidly? Reducing foil drag promotes speed and glide in wingfoiling. This is especially true in light winds or when looking to improve performance. Several aspects of wing equipment can be considered to reduce drag and thus benefit from better glide… And therefore have more fun!
Use high aspect foil
High aspect foils have a larger wingspan and a thinner profile (this refers to the front wing), which reduces drag. This type of foil is ideal for freeriding, free flying, and speed sessions to outpace all your friends. However, it requires a certain level of technical skill.
Reduce the size of the stabilizer (rear wing of the foil) :
A smaller stab reduces lift, and therefore stability, but improves foil speed and responsiveness.
Optimizing stabilizer angle :
The angle of the stab can be adjusted using one or more shims to fine-tune drag reduction. A higher angle increases drag, but the float will nose dive less when accelerating. This makes it easier to stay airborne with less initial apprehension. Whereas a finer setting makes the foil smoother and notably more maneuverable in transitions, and also faster.
Choose a short fuselage :
This type of fuselage makes the foil more responsive and reduces drag.
What mistakes should you avoid when adjusting your foil?
When setting up your mast, and therefore your foil, certain mistakes can slow your progress. But as wingfoil should remain above all a pleasure, here are a few tips to avoid this.
First of all, incorrect mast position settings can make wing foiling more difficult. As a beginner, it is tempting to place the foil too far forward or too far back under the board. A foil that is too far forward limits maneuverability, while a placement that is too far back makes takeoff more difficult. If you are unsure, place the mast in the center of the US BOX double box, slightly forward.
Another common mistake is to choose a foil with too high an aspect ratio. In other words, a very wide and very thin front wing. You’ll get more lift, but less stability.
And last but not least, mast size! There’s no point in trying to progress too quickly. It’s better to start with a small foil mast than to say to yourself “I’ll buy an 85 or 90 cm mast, so I won’t have to change when I can sail a wing! On the contrary, you’ll end up struggling for longer. Between 70 and 80 cm is more than enough.
Now, get ready to set up your foils!