mast track/fin track

Question
HI - How do you know if you have a standard mast track? I have a used board missing a mast base and a fin. Is there a way to determine whether current base and fin models will fit into these tracks? Thank you.

Answer
Hey Eric,

There are three types of mast tracks. Actually the first type is not really a track but just a couple of holes in the board that the mast base fit into. These types were on the early model boards and were manufacturer specific. If you have this type, finding a replacement base is extremely difficult as they are not made any more. The other two types are similar and use the standard type mast base. One allows the mast base to move while you are sailing. The other type is the most common for all new boards. The mast base can be moved and then tightened in a fixed position. If you change sails or the wind changes, you adjust the position of the mast base accordingly.

To determine if you have a standard mast track, just look up any new windsurfing board and compare the mast track with yours. If your board is newer than 1990, it should be a standard type mast track.

Fins are a little different as there are four types of fin boxes. Check out www.windance.com under windsurfing/fins to see a variety of fins. Be sure to look at the part of the fin that will go into the fin box. Three types will fit directly into the fin box with a screw(s) coming through the top of the board to hold the fin in place. These three types are very common on newer boards made after 2005. These types are in fixed position and do not allow for any adjustment.  

The most common on older boards is the US Box, A Box, Chinook Box, & European Box. These are all very similar and the fin box is longer to allow adjustment to the fin placement. If your fin box is about 8 inches long and looks like a shorter mast track, then this is the type of fin box you have.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover