Pros and Cons of MAST SHAPE and WIDTH measurements

efoils – Electric Hydrofoil Surfboards
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I would like to learn and hear some insight on the benefits of MAST SHAPE as well as the WIDTH or breadth of the mast.

I understand and am experienced with the pros and cons of mast length. Mast length is talked about often, but very little seems to be out there in regards to other measurements and shape. :thinking:

This post and question is inspired by the changes I’ve noticed to the Waydoo EVO from the Flyer ONE Series

The Flyer ONE mast shape is noticeably more rounded and thicker in the front half and tapers to the back. A cross section would essentially look like a long teardrop :droplet: (if the front of the mast was pointed down and the back facing up)

The Waydoo Flyer EVO is only slightly more rounded in the front than the back. It’s thickest point is more in the middle instead of the front. The cross section shape would be more like a long diamond♦️ in comparison.

The original Flyer ONE mast is about 4.5 inches wide (114 mm)
While the EVO is 4 and 7/8 inches wide (124 mm)

( FYI and Just for additional measures… I believe the thickest part of both masts is the same thickness. )

So far the only thing I believe I’ve noticed is that the spray off the back of the mast seems more noticeable on the original Flyer ONE design (teardrop shape) vs the EVO (diamond)…
I believe the water rises higher up the mast before breaking off into a spray behind, on the Flyer ONE vs the EVO

based on what I see with the spray, I’m assuming there’s less drag with “diamond” :diamonds: vs “teardrop” :droplet:in foiling (for lack of better/ proper Shape description) ???

What are the pros and cons of each shape?

Pros and Cons of mast width in foiling as well?

Strength? Flex? Drag? Speed? Turning?

(Excuse my quick pencil drawings)

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Tons of info on the web about shapes here is an example

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I’m not convinced the profile of the mast has much influence over the performance of an efoil other than if it makes the mast stiffer. There is logically subtle changes in drag but I don’t think an average rider going 30kmh is going to really notice that imo

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There are a lot of ways the shape affects the ride.

Stiffness is roughly proportional to (profile width)^3 so a slightly wider mast has a large increase in stiffness in bending.
The teardrop shape has a lower drag in water than a symmetrical profile for the same wetted area, if wetted area is higher for the teardrop then it’s hard to say generally without simulating or testing.

You can say that if you optimise it properly you can get a stiffer mast with same drag with the teardrop profile, i think it might also get you better stall properties, normally a wider profile is less subject to stalling than a narrower one.

If you notice it, probably not for most of us, at least if we don’t ride the huge pump wings. Most efoils can’t be ridden as aggressively as a surf foil and you can cheat the losses with the available motor power

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