Cedrus Carbon Evolution Masts | Surf vs. Wind

If you've heard of Foil Cedrus masts, or "Project Cedrus" as they used to be known, but haven't ridden one yet, you may wonder if it's all hype. Why buy a 3rd party mast rather than the one that was designed to go with your foil? Can it really provide as good a foil experience, let alone a better one, to justify the cost? Tucker's spent a lot of time on Cedrus masts over the years, and he swears by them. So what makes them so special as to earn Tucker's Seal of Approval?

Evolution Surf vs. Wind

The second generation of Cedrus masts is the Evolution series. As the name implies, they're a refined version of the original mast. They're hollow carbon masts and come in Surf and Wind models. The Evolution Surf comes in several lengths from 65 - 85cm and the Evolution Wind is made in 80 - 103cm lengths. But there is more to set them apart than just the length.

Both masts are a standard width at the top and bottom to accommodate M8 hardware, which has become the industry standard for its durability and ease of handling. Both are also very stiff and provide great response and feedback to your input. However, the Surf mast has a narrow section through the middle, while the Wind mast has a wider chord.

Cedrus masts are known for being stiff even with their thin profiles. Each end of the mast is a bit thicker to accommodate the screws and add stiffness in those critical areas where they attach to the board and the foil, but the mast is predominantly very thin.

Evolution Surf

Why would a shorter chord be an advantage for surf riders? It reduces the area of the mast, resulting in less wetted surface area and less drag at lower speeds. It makes the mast very lightweight for its length. It's also a little looser in turns, so you can get tighter turns at lower speeds. It's a great mast not just for prone surfing, but for downwind paddleboarding, Foil Driving, and in small waves.

However, that loosey-goosey feel is going to feel twitchy and unstable for newer riders or for riding at high speeds, and that won't inspire the confidence you need to enjoy your session and push yourself to improve. You can compensate for that in a few ways. You can use a longer fuselage, a bigger stabilizer, or choose a wing or stabilizer with winglets. Or you can opt for the Evolution Wind mast.

Evolution Wind

Higher speed foiling includes kiting, winging, and tow foiling. The wider section of mast in the Evolution Wind gives you a more predictable, stable ride at those speeds. It also flattens out the curve of the foil section, which reduces drag at high speeds even though there is more wetted surface area. You'll find you have a higher top speed with a mast like this. While it's not as maneuverable as the Surf mast, you aren't making those tight turns at high speeds anyway.

The Wind mast is something you can lean into and get upwind with. If you like to race or just go fast, this mast will drive upwind. Even at lower speeds, it gives you something to push off and get more forward drive. Newer riders will also appreciate its side-to-side stability while you're taking off.

Choosing a Length

First, it's important to note that Cedrus mast lengths are measured by the length of the mast itself without the mast plate or any adapters. A lot of brands measure their mast length from the top of the track plate to the top of the fuselage, and some, like Code, even measure to the bottom of the fuselage. This means that Cedrus masts will generally run a little long compared to the same length in another brand. For example, a Cedrus 80cm mast is going to be comparable to around an 87cm Code. If you're happy with a particular mast size in your brand of foil, be sure to see how it's measured and size down if necessary when you order your Cedrus mast.

Of course, a longer mast can be a good thing if you're plowing through waves rather than riding them. That's why the Wind mast is available in longer lengths than the Surf mast. Tucker enjoys Cedrus masts in the 80-85cm range for wind.

Construction

Cedrus masts have a hollow architecture for reduced weight compared to solid high modulus masts. While considered a full carbon mast, they do have a unique feature. Wrapped around the outside of the carbon is a special polymer material that's slightly flexible, lightweight, and more resilient to impact. If you do damage it, it's easier to repair than carbon since you can use anything that restores its shape. Since it's not part of the major structure of the mast, you can keep riding until you can repair it without worry of causing further damage to a weakened carbon fiber. And if your mast hits you, you're less likely to be injured by it.

Compatibility

One of the biggest draws to the Cedrus masts is the ability to ride any foil you like. Adapters are available for any major foil brand, so you can skip buying the mast anytime you want to try out another brand's foils. It also means you're future-proofing your mast. If your brand changes up its ecosystem and then comes out with a bunch of great wings, just pick up the adapter for the new connection and off you go! A high quality carbon mast can be a big investment, and with a Cedrus mast, it's an investment you only need to make once. (Unless you want both the Surf and Wind masts, of course!)

Which Mast Should I Get?

If he had to choose only one, Tucker would have a tough time, for sure. Lake Michigan can deliver both waves and wind. For a new to intermediate level rider, he'd recommend the Wind mast since the Surf mast really is so much looser. Even for Tucker, it took some time to adjust to that and retrain his brain. While you can go hard into turns, you can also mess it up a lot easier. If you're an experienced wave foiler, the Surf may make more sense for you, but most other riders will probably have more fun with the Wind mast. It'll offer that upper level speed and stability that you need to push the envelope.

If you're in doubt, hop on chat or give us a call and one of our experienced foilers will be happy to talk it through with you. Your conditions, experience level, and how you like to ride will all play a role, and we can help you sort it out and choose a mast and length that makes sense for you.

About Cedrus

Cedrus (Latin for "cedar", pronounced "SEE-drus") is a brand that MACkite has been involved with from its start and has provided honest feedback on to help improve it. The first generation was impressive, and the Evolution masts are next level. They're made in the USA by hand, so there is sometimes a backlog to get one. It's worth the wait, but if you see your size available, don't be afraid to snap it up. It's a mast Tucker would ride every day if he didn't have to test other gear.

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