Top sail rotattion

Question
QUESTION: Hi!

I have tried out a newly purchased 7.5 no-cam Ezzy Freeride sail.
I am using a makeshift aluminum 6in. mast-top extension because the mast-base extension is a bit too short for the luff length  and I don't want to buy a new one.   This few inches of mast-top extension are slightly larger than the diameter of the mast and make the mast-sleeve very tight to turn properly around the mast.  Actually, the sail doesn't even seem to rotate at all towards the top, even though the out-haul is set correctly and  sail rotates properly from 3/4 of the mast down.  Is it normal that the sail should not rotate freely  or get stuck towards the mast-top ?

Thank you for your advise

Franco

ANSWER: Hey Franco,

Ezzy sails really want to be on the proper mast. It should be the proper length and stiffness for the sail to perform properly. The extension on the top of your mast is probably the reason that the top of the sail is not rotating correctly. Is the mast top extension fitting tight on the mast? Maybe if you were to hone the extension out a bit so that it rotates on the mast, then the top of the sail may rotate better. That is about the only thing that I can think of that might help. The other solution is to get a taller base extension. Check out ebay under 'windsurfing mast base extensions'. There are a few on there for around $40. A nice carbon one has a couple days left and no bids yet.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your reply.

Yes, the extension fits very tight over  the mast-top. As to honing out the extension a bit, it could be a bit of a problem to hone 6 in. of length. Alsothe aluminum surface is very smooth and I am afraid that using sand paper or emery cloth  will add to the problem, since the surface will become even rougher.
The only thing I can think of, short of buying  a new mast-base extension, is to use a narrower mast-top extension , fitting inside the mast-top. This  will make the diameter s a couple of mm smaller .  To insert it inside, though,I 'd have to knock off the stopper or lid which is inside the mast, just 1/2 in below the mast-end. I wouldn't want to damage or weaken the mast, though.  What do you think?

I am surprised that Ezzy should make the mast-sleeve so tight at the top, that even 2 mm of extra thickness of the mast ( i.e. the thickness of the aluminum tube) should make the luff stick.  

I'd appreciate your comments, as usual.

Thank you

Franco

Answer
Hey Franco,

The stopper on the top of your mast is a plug designed to keep water out of your mast. Trying to make an extension fit inside is probably not a good idea. As for honing out the extension, if you take enough out, say 1/2 mm, then there will be enough play for the extension to rotate on the mast. You could get that done at a machine shop. But, the cost of getting it machined is probably the amount you would spend on a longer extension.

As for the mast sleeve being tight at the top, it is designed to fit a mast top, not an added diameter of a top extension. The body of the extension may be only 2mm but think about the actual diameter. It adds quite a bit to the diameter of the mast, which the sail is NOT designed for.

My biggest question on your whole dilemma is this, if you have spent close to $600 for a new sail, what is the problem with spending $50-60 for an extension that will resolve all your problems? Seems like a fairly simple solution to me.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover