How to Choose the Right F4 Mast

One of the most common questions we receive is:

"Which mast should I choose?"

The answer is surprisingly simple.

At F4, every mast is designed around a specific riding experience rather than a specific discipline. While all of our masts share the same obsession with stiffness, efficiency, and reliability, each series delivers a distinctly different feeling on the water.

Today our lineup consists of three mast families: RC, AX, and SR.

Each represents a different approach to connecting rider and foil.

RC Series – The All-Round Benchmark

If you want one mast that can do everything exceptionally well, the RC remains the benchmark.

Over the years, RC masts have become the trusted choice for riders across winging, surf foiling, downwind, kite foiling, and racing. Their combination of stiffness, predictability, and ease of use has made them one of the most successful mast platforms we have ever developed.

The RC offers a familiar and confidence-inspiring ride. Stable at speed, predictable through turns, and incredibly forgiving in changing conditions, it is often the easiest mast for riders to jump on and immediately feel at home.

If versatility is your priority, the RC is difficult to beat.

Best for:

• Riders looking for one mast for multiple disciplines
• Everyday winging and freeriding
• Surf and downwind foiling
• Riders who value confidence and predictability

AX Series – Efficiency Meets Speed

The introduction of the AX series changed the way many riders thought about mast design.

By significantly reducing mast thickness and wetted surface area, the AX created a noticeable reduction in drag while maintaining the stiffness F4 riders expect.

The result is a mast that feels faster, accelerates more freely, and carries speed exceptionally well.

The benefits become increasingly obvious during long downwind runs, racing situations, and high-speed riding where every bit of efficiency matters. Less drag means less energy spent moving through the water and more energy available for speed, distance, and performance.

The AX quickly became a favorite among racers and performance-oriented riders, earning podium finishes around the world and redefining expectations of what a skinny mast could deliver.

Best for:

• Racers and performance riders
• Downwind enthusiasts
• High-speed winging
• Riders seeking maximum efficiency

SR Series – The Next Frontier

The newest addition to the F4 lineup is also our most ambitious.

After nearly two years of development and the largest R&D investment in company history, the SR introduces a fundamentally different mast architecture inspired by concepts that proved their potential at the highest levels of Moth racing.

While the drag reduction and efficiency gains are remarkable, the most significant difference is something harder to measure.

The SR changes how the foil feels.

Traditional masts create a certain amount of steering influence as they move through the water. Riders often describe this as a "rudder effect." The SR dramatically reduces that influence, allowing the foil to behave more naturally beneath the rider.

The sensation is difficult to describe until you experience it yourself.

Turns become more fluid. The foil feels more connected. The ride becomes less filtered and more direct. Riders consistently describe the feeling as a true "magic carpet" experience—an uninterrupted connection between rider and foil.

Add the significant reduction in drag and wetted surface area, and the result is a mast that not only feels different but can also extend rides by conserving precious energy throughout the session.

The SR is not simply another mast option.

It represents a new direction for hydrofoil design.

Best for:

• Riders seeking the purest foil feel possible
• Downwind and surf foilers
• Advanced wing foilers
• Anyone wanting the lowest drag and most direct connection to their foil

Which Mast Is Right For You?

Choose the RC if you want the ultimate all-round mast with exceptional versatility and confidence.

Choose the AX if your focus is speed, efficiency, and maximum performance.

Choose the SR if you want to experience the next evolution of foil feel, turning freedom, and drag reduction.

The good news?

There is no wrong answer.

Every F4 mast is built around the same principles of stiffness, efficiency, durability, and performance. The difference is simply how you want your foil to feel beneath your feet.

Whichever path you choose, you're riding some of the most advanced hydrofoil mast technology available today.

See you on the water,

Team F4