The groundbreaking Reptile Reverse windsurfing mast is the world's first and only mast designed to perfectly rig all windsurfing sails, both current and past models on the market. With its unique reversible base, it can create two different curves, providing unparalleled versatility in rigging any sail.
The Reptile Reverse features a uniquely crafted cylindrical base with distinctive carbon layering. It can be connected at the top using both ends, labeled as "constant-FLEX" and "constant-HARD." Depending on the end used, you achieve one of the two desired curves. Try them both!
Development History of Reverse
Over the years, efforts have been made to categorize the multitude of curves proposed by companies into three main classes: Constant, Hard, and Flex top. In practice, subtracting the percentage of curve at the top from the percentage at the bottom results in a number that defines the curve.
From tables found online, the following classification emerges
For example, an mast with 63% at the base and 76% at the top, resulting in 13, is considered constant. Even an mast with a curve of 64% at the base and 73% at the top, resulting in 9, is also considered constant. And these are completely different masts!
Further complicating the situation are the high production tolerances to which our beloved rigs are subject. Carbon fiber, resin, and the entire manufacturing process of our carbon gems all have relatively high tolerances.
Using our digital tool, we measured the curves of hundreds of masts on the market. Seven flex arrow points were recorded for each mast, revealing an average of +/-2.5% variation from the declared curve. In millimetric terms, this means a difference of 2 to 5 mm from mast to mast.
Brands play with these curves each year, adjusting the mast rotation and batten or camber pressure by a few millimeters. And those millimeters make a difference! For this reason, we've positioned the Reptile Reverse perfectly among the three major curve classes, allowing a single mast to cover the entire range of possible market curves.
Moreover, you can enhance your sail's performance by 'customizing' the profile based on your weight, style, sail size, and wind and sea conditions.
The exclusive Reptile Reverse is the ONLY mast in the world to have TWO curves. It consists of a perfectly cylindrical base with a detailed carbon stratification. It can be connected to the top using both ends, called “constant-FLEX” and “constant-HARD”. Depending on the end used, one of the two desired curves is obtained.
For owners of sails tending to the Hard top (such as Severne) we suggest using the CONSTANT / HARD end (as clearly indicated on the mast). Simply compose the mast keeping the CONSTANT / HARD writing on the side of the extension, and that's it.
Furthermore, with the Reptile Reverse it is possible to modify the characteristics of your sail simply by inverting the base! Try both solutions, and choose the one that best suits your weight and your style!
For owners of Constant Curve or Flex top sails (such as NeilPryde, Duotone, Naish, Simmer etc.) we suggest using the CONSTANT / FLEX tip (as clearly indicated on the mast). It is sufficient to compose the mast keeping the CONSTANT / FLEX writing on the side of the extension, and that's it.
Furthermore, with the Reptile Reverse it is possible to modify the characteristics of your sail simply by inverting the base! Try both solutions, and choose the one that best suits your weight and your style!
Reptile windsurf masts are developed and built to enhance and increase the performance of the sails. Nowadays, most sailmakers have adopted the constant / flex curve as ideal for the development of their sails. Of fundamental importance, therefore, in terms of performance, are the raw material with which a mast is built and the balance between mast diameter and wall thickness. With 20 years of experience in the field of composite materials, Reptile can be considered the best alternative option for anyone wishing to enhance the performance of their windsurf sails.
All Reptile windsurf masts are equipped with a taper plug compatible with all sails on the market.
Stuck windsurfing masts will be just a bad memory thanks to the new Clean Cap Reptile, an EVA cap glued to the base joint that automatically cleans sand and dust from inside the top.
The Reptile Reverse is built using the high-quality Toray 800 intermediate modulus prepreg carbon fiber, which gives the mast high resistance and performance characteristics.
All new generation Reptile masts are compatible with all sails on the market.
didn't think that after 30 years of windsurfing, someone could come up with something like this. Reverse. Revolutionary.
I will always remember the moment when, measuring the usual masts, with the usual curves, I got the idea of inverting the base. The rest is history.
This case will protect your valuable windsurf mast during transport.
Each Reptile windsurf mast is covered by a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
After joining the Top to the Bottom, you are ready to rig the windsurf sail.
- First of all, follow the instructions on the sail, and more precisely how many centimeters of EXTENSION you will need to correctly rig the sail. If you don't have an extension yet, you can find it in our accessories. Tip: Adding centimeters of downhaul than suggested leads to a flatter profile in the central part and a more open sail in the leech; in this case it is likely to be necessary to remove centimeters of clew from the boom. The thrust center in this way moves forward, towards the windsurf mast. Such a tensioned sail is less reactive and more likely to withstand strong winds. The opposite happens if less downhaul is given than recommended.
- Once the mast has been inserted into the sail, check that the top and bottom are perfectly joined. To do this, just slide your hand along the mast sleeve to perceive whether the union has been respected. Tip: Apply a tape to the top and bottom junction so you don't run into this problem.
- Finally insert the boom, taking care not to over tighten the handle. Tip: The boom must be tightened the right way, and the new generation booms have the wall in contact with the mast of a longer length and with anti-slip material.
- Once this is done, all that remains is to go into the water to perceive the wonderful reactivity that only Reptile windsurf masts can give.
A carbon windsurf mast is built to withstand constant effort and blows. But it is not indestructible. To try to make it last the longest and, in the first place, to make your windsurf sessions safe, it needs care and attention.
What damage does the warranty cover?
Each Reptile Sports product is subjected to rigorous quality controls during every single production phase. Each windsurf mast is weighed and measured in the IMCS machine to ensure that the technical characteristics conform to specifications. Non-compliant masts are NOT placed on the market but destroyed.
The warranty covers manufacturing defects and / or material defects with a duration of twenty-four months (24) from the date of purchase, in the case of sale to the direct user.
This date must be proven by a delivery document issued by the seller (e.g., receipt), in which the following appear: the delivery date, the name of the seller, the identification details of the product (type, model).
Main defects in materials and workmanship
The defects of the materials, and in particular of the carbon composites, are normally highlighted in the initial use phase. If a mast is faulty (and this can happen), it breaks after a few sessions. Breakages occurred after months of use, are hardly attributable to defects in material or production, but rather to shocks or stress following poorly executed maneuvers, impact with the seabed, whirled in the waves. This does not mean that the warranty is not recognized, but that it may be necessary for us to carry out a greater analysis of the broken parts to understand if the nature of the break occurred by delamination or by impact.
In addition, there are three very common breakages that are attributable to incorrect use of the windsurf mast:
- Use of an extension with a poor terminal inserted in the mast, which can cause a break in the fibers in the longitudinal direction. It is therefore recommended to use extensions with at least 20 cm inserted inside the bottom section.
- Compress the mast wall excessively with the boom handle. In this case the mast wall risks ovalizing making the unidirectional fibers fragile in the flexion-torsion phase.
- Excessive compression and / or wear caused by camber.
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