Mistral mast track

Question
I have got 2 x mistral longboards a Competition and Pandrea. They are complete with the proper mast feet with the red plastic base that turns to engage the pin. The problem is they come loose very easy like during a tack or gybe the red plastic section turns and releases the pin. Is there something i doing wrong?.

Answer
Hey Chris,

You are not doing anything wrong, it is just something that happens with that particular model of Mistral mast base over time.
The solution is; get some small (~1/16 - 1/8) elastic cord from your local hardware store. You will need about 2-2.5' for each board. There should be an indent up near the nose of your board that has a metal pin across the top of the indent. Using a bowline knot, tie one end of the cord to the pin on the indent. Place your base in the board and lock it in. Feed the other end of the cord through the hole in the front of the red piece and put a little tension on the cord. Loop a double knot in the cord and slide the knot to the red piece. You may have to adjust the tension to keep the red piece from turning. Be sure to allow enough slack in the tension to adjust the mast while sailing. Once you know that you can slide your mast track all the way forward and back and the tension is keeping the red piece from turning, trim the excess off the cord. Be sure to use a bowline knot on the forward end of the cord so that you can remove the cord when you remove the mast base. If you are not sure how to tie this knot, Google bowline knot and you will find out how to tie it. It is one of the few knots that won't tighten on itself, will stay tied, and is easily removable.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover