The 2010 mast range offers even greater choice, technical innovations, and a revolution that underscores our commitment to user-friendliness. Even if the names are still the same, they describe a significantly optimized high-tech product. An overview of the major developments for 2010:
Important: SDM / RDM As a rule, a distinction is made between SDM (standard) and the increasingly popular RDM (reduced) mast diameters. Very few people know that RDM masts make sense only up to lengths of around 430cm, since they present a rather soft flex behaviour as a result of their smaller cross section. Therefore, they are primarily suitable for Wave/Freestyle sails, their advantage being that they are easier to grip during manoeuvres. Large, mostly performance-oriented sails therefore need stiffer masts with a „more direct“ flex. This characteristic calls for a larger mast cross section in order to reach the required stiffness at all.
AEROSPACE.PREPREG.TECHNOLOGY All NORTH SAILS masts are manufactured using the ultimate AEROSPACE.PREPREG.TECHNOLOGY, and meanwhile this method is also used for the RED and SILVER series. This method provides for a computer-controlled adjustment of the resin and carbon content, and processing takes place under extremely high compression pressure (up to 10 tons!). Therefore, the masts themselves only differ in the percentage of carbon content and its quality.
TOTAL.PROTECTION.SHIELD The NORTH SAILS polyamide coating is a groundbreaking development in mast construction. This highly abrasion-resistant material that covers the entire PLATINUM and Gold series masts provides for 100% surface protection! No abrasion, no scratches, or damage to the carbon fibres by the camber or the boom front piece. At the same time, this viscoelastic skin reinforces the entire structure and increases fracture resistance by approx. 20%, without any impact on the bending curve.
New: More RDM masts In addition to the well-known SDM masts (SDM = standard diameter mast) there is a trend setting more towards thinner or RDM masts (RDM = reduced diameter mast). That´s why our new mast program is more complete, North Sails RDM masts are now available in 3 ranges, each with a different carbon content and a price to suit everyone.
DROP.SHAPE <> CONSTANT.TAPER. All standard diameter (SDM) NORTH SAILS masts come in length-specific shapes: Up to a length of 430cm, the masts feature a DROP.SHAPE geometry with a significantly tapered boom area. This allows us to transfer the rotation and handling advantages of RDM masts to classic masts without the need for special extensions or boom adapters. All SDM masts with a length of 460cm or above feature the CONSTANT.TAPERED geometry that forms a conical shape from the base to the top.