Selecting the right Tushingham mast
By Roger Tushingham
 
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There's a Tushingham mast to suit all budgets and performance aspirations. In a recent magazine test, Tushingham masts stood out, offering exceptional performance and value. In fact, many sails from other brands performed better on a Tushingham than on their own recommended mast!
 
We achieve this by selecting the most appropriate technology and by working with a range of partners. Tushingham are the only sailmaker to have their own electronic mast testing facilities and are able to specify the best characteristics for any given application.
 
 

Which mast should I choose?
  
When it comes to masts, light is most definitely good, they react faster (reflex response) allowing the sail to breathe and exhaust efficiently, for best performance and a more comfortable ride. Light weight is achieved through a high carbon content which naturally comes at a price!
 
Choose the best you can afford, but temper this with considerations connected with the likely end use, particularly durability. Furthermore, consider where best to spend your money as a part of an overall quiver. For example, a light mast will make far more difference in a bigger sail where the overall weight is a key issue.
 
 
Before choosing a mast, you may wish to learn a little more about the mast, a crucial rig component often taken for granted. For a useful and detailed guide to mast bends and how they affect your sail...  click here.
 
 
Below is a summary of our mainline masts. Click on a mast image to learn more about that model.
 
 
 
image_freewave_45_rs
FreeWave 45
Excellent value mast for a wide range of applications.
Tough and reliable.
 
370, 400, 430, 460, 490 sizes
 
 
 
image_carbon75_rsCarbon 75 
Fast reflex response brings near-professional levels of performance to the recreational windsurfer.
Very light without compromising strength: suited to wave use right through to racing.
 
370, 400, 430, 460, 490 sizes
 
  
 
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Ultimate Pro
Great for all racers thanks to light weight, with lightning-fast response.
Maximum performance in rigs used for speed / blasting. 
 
460, 490, 520, 550 sizes
 
 
  
image_speedpro_rsSpeed Pro
Specialist flex-top mast built for extreme use in overpowered speed sailing conditions.
The key to unlock new speed sailing personal bests!
 
370, 400, 430, 460 sizes
 
 
 
image_rd60_rs
RD 60
Superb value and exceptionally strong wave/allround mast.
Fully guaranteed for wave use, built in pre-preg construction.
 
340, 370, 400, 430, 450 sizes
 
  
 

image_rdwave_rsRD Wave 100
Light, responsive, super-tough wave mast built for the roughest conditions.
The first choice for wave and hardcore sailors, light weight also great for freestyle.
 
340, 370, 400, 430, 450 sizes
 
 
 
 
 
Frequently Asked Mast Questions
 
There's plenty of information on Tushingham masts in their individual write-ups but here's some additional advice based on some of the most regularly occurring mast questions:
 
 
RDM or Standard Diameter?
 

mast_choice_4We are building our RDM’s with softer bottoms because this delivers the best performance in wave and freestyle sails, where the strength of the RDM is a distinct advantage.

If we consider a crossover sail such as the Storm we can change its character with mast selection. The RDM will deliver a more ‘springy’ wave style feel, whilst the SDM, with its stiffer bottom and more flexible top will promote a more locked in slalom style feel. Windsurfers who blast back and forth across a windy lake may feel more comfortable with the smoother power delivery and improved top-end offered by a SDM. The RDM may be preferred by wave sailors and tricksters who seek the more neutral feel they offer in transitions and the power delivery from RDM masts that allows for more explosive action.
 
Of course, these are not hard and fast rules, personal preference is a significant factor.
 
 
 

How flex top?  Speed Pro or Ultimate Pro?
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The highest speeds are achieved in maxed-out extreme conditions when sailing well off the wind and very overpowered. In these conditions extra flex in the top of the mast will magnify the advantages of locked in low down power with the reactive mast top dealing with gusts and the high level of twist required for this extreme discipline.
 
This is not a set-up that would work in normal conditions but an example of how a sail like the X-15 can be tuned either for slalom or speed by using the appropriate mast. The Speed Pro with its bend characteristic of 16 to 19 is ideally suited to speed sailing in maxed out conditions.

For slalom sailing, the superior low-end power and accelleration offered by the Ultimate Pro make it a superb choice for fast sailing in the widest possible range of conditions. In normal well-powered winds, the Speed Pro would simply flex and dump power too early, making the sail feel gutless.
 
 
Decision Making - a litte help!
 
Whatever your discipline, there is definitely a Tushingham mast that will be highly suited to your requirements. If you've read through all our mast info and still aren't quite sure, feel free to drop an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - one of our experts should quickly respond with their professional advice.