Windsurfing Mast Bases Explained

Purpose

  • Board
  • Base
  • Sail Rig

The purpose of the windsurf mast base is to join the windsurf sail rig to the windsurf board. The part is designed to rotate, twist, and bend to allow the sail rig to change positions. The power generated by the sail is transferred to the board through the universal joint.

Common Names for a Windsurf Base

  • Windsurf Base
  • Mast Base
  • Universal Joint

The original windsurf patent refers to this part as a Universal Joint. The first patented windsurf universal joint was designed by Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer.

Basic Diagram

These are the basic sections of a windsurf base. US Cup Tendon 1-Bolt Base and Europin Tendon 1-Bolt Base used as examples.

US Cup Tendon 1-Bolt Windsurf Base
Windsurf Mast Base
  • Mast Extension Connector
  • Universal Joint
  • Board Connector
Europin Tendon 1-Bolt Windsurf Base
Windsurf Mast Base
  • Mast Extension Connector
  • Universal Joint
  • Board Connector

Sail Rig Connection Types

 

The two most common types:

  • US Cup
  • EuroPin

There are some other types but are less common. Gear manufactured in the last 30 years should fall within these two categories.

US Cup

The US Cup windsurf bases are made by 2 companies: Chinook and Streamlined. The majority of windsurf brands have discontinued production of US Cup bases in favor of the Europin base.

Europin

Other names include: Pin, North Pin, and Europin.