advise not nothing!

Question
I received a Bic sport 256 Race TechCCk windsurfer,  with it came 2 sails 3 boons and a bag of attachments ( I copied your info explaining the parts etc)  .It appears the only thing missing is the mast. Advise if I should purchase a mast (I can get one on line from Bic  for 140.00 or use it as a paddle board? It is for my kids and grand kids to enjoy at he lake. Thanks for the most informative info and easy to understand.Do you have to have a mast that is the same as the board re manufacturers or do they all fit demension wise. Thanks in advance

Answer
Hey Arlene,

Using the board as a paddle board is a great idea when there is little or no wind. But if you want to sail the board, you have to have a mast. You don't have to buy a manufacturer specific mast but you do need the right size and stiffness. There are two diameters of masts, standard and RD or reduced diameter, commonly known as 'skinny' masts. You want to look for standard diameter.

To determine what you need, look at the bottom of both sails. There should be information telling you luff - length of mast, MCS - stiffness, and boom - length of boom. Boom won't matter as you already have those. You will need luff and MCS. Luff should be somewhere between 400-500cm and MCS should be 22-29. You need to find a mast as long as the largest luff number of the two sails. You can use a mast too long on a smaller sail but too short a mast makes rigging a larger sail difficult. MCS is a bit more critical for proper sail shape. Compare the two numbers and find a mast closer to the number for the larger sail. You want something close for the larger sail and the smaller sail should rig okay if there is not a large gap between numbers.

As for what to buy, most masts have some carbon content and some are 100%. The higher the carbon content, the lighter the mast and also more expensive. It sounds like you would only need a mast to suit general recreational sailing. Bic's mast at 140.00 is a pretty good price for a new mast. Just be aware that a longer mast may be a little more. You can do an internet search for windsurfing masts and find many online shops. There is also used gear available via craigslist and ebay. These two sources are good but remember 'buyer beware'. Always try to physically inspect anything used. Masts are quite durable but overtightening at the boom can cause fatigue cracks. If you do look at used, look for excessive wear marks at the boom, chips/dings in the body from poor handling around rocks and such, and small fatigue cracks at the base.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover