Tech specs
What is the lead time? When will my mast be done?
Project Cedrus is custom made to your specifications (length, model, adapters) which itself justifies a much longer lead time than mass produced carbon masts or extruded aluminum designs. Couple this with the challenging global supply chain we are experiencing, and labor shortages, I can only narrow down a delivery lead time to between 4 and 8 weeks. Please understand that everyone from my machinists to our FedEx delivery drivers are working as hard as they can, and that additional emails or rush requests will not help expedite the process and may in fact risk order cancellation. I have always kept my clients apprised of their order status and because I value communication and customer support, and kindly request they not email me requesting updates or asking for a faster lead time as my response only takes valuable time away from more productive work. Thank you for your understanding.
How much is shipping? Do you ship International?
We have introduced new flat rate shipping charges which can be estimated before checking out. All shipments are fully insured. In general, continental US is ~$40, Hawaii is $50, and International is $100-$150. I do not charge for my time when filling out customs paperwork, as I am grateful for international business. However the mast value must be fully declared for legal and insurance purposes. Thank you for your understanding.
Have you had any problems with adapters?
Yes and No. Project Cedrus with an adapter is as strong or stronger than any OEM assembly. That being said, we have seen hardware failures in assemblies using M6 screws. This can be anything from a lose or bent bolt, to a tensile failure. This includes Takuma, Moses, MFC, Armstrong, and F-One. Again, this is happening in both complete OEM assemblies and has happened to a couple Cedrus customers. We’ve even seen failed Axis M8 hardware, due to massive loads on the aft bolt when pumping or charging hard. It is somewhat to be expected as the sport grows and riders continue to push bounderies, that we are finding the limits of the equipment. I expect most if not all brands to transition to stronger M8 hardware soon. The good news: no adapter damage has ever affected the mast, and as the big brands improve their designs, it’s a tiny investment in a new adapter to make your Project Cedrus setup even stronger. To that end, it’s actually safer to ride a Project Cedrus, because if a certain wing or fuselage connection doesn’t work for you, with only $100 you’re on a completely new wingset. Now if you are a customer and you are having issues with your adapter, please let me know! Sometimes fuselage profiles change without me knowing, or screws aren’t long enough. I did have a customer try to use his SAB kite adapter in a wind fuselage, obviously this did not work well. Unfortunately he took to forums to discuss the issue rather than directly with me. So please, do not hesitate to reach out as I am still learning along with the rest of the industry and promise to make it right! Please see the owner’s info page to learn more about riding a mast with adapters.
I don't see an adapter for my fuselage, will you make it?
As discussed in my blog, the foil world has definately converged around 6-7 highly popular brands in the last few years, down from an extremely fragmented industry from when I started this in 2016. I am happy to consider designing an adapter for your favorite fuselage, but you’ll need to contact us for a quote. 3D scanning, engineering time, 3D printing, and 1-off machining places the value of a new adapter at over $1,000. If I see potential demand for the adapter justifying the investment, I will gladly do it. Unfortunately, smaller brands or those without presence/product availability in the US make it difficult to design adapters. But again, simply reach out and we can discuss.
Will you make an adapter for my [insert brand here] mast?
No. Please do not email me asking for adapters to other mast ecosystems. I do not charge for my time when designing adapters, because they benefit the mast and my customers. As mentioned in above FAQ, a new adapter costs ~$1,000 in engineering services, 3D printing, and machining.
Why a mast only?
Wings get all the attention, but the mast is the heaviest and most expensive component of your foil. While wing preferences among riders vary from fast and twitchy to slow and stable, everyone appreciates a stiff mast and lightweight setup. Project Cedrus was designed to cut the weight of a typical aluminum foil by up to 40%, without having to invest in an entire new setup. It was designed to exceed the strength and stiffness of any carbon mast on the market, at comparable or lesser weight. It’s compatible with any board, and many wingsets as your skill and preferences evolve. It’s designed to be the one piece of kite gear you don’t feel obliged to upgrade every season, custom made for you, in the length you want, in the Pacific Northwest.
How do you make a mast that's stiffer, stronger, and lighter? That seems impossible.
It’s basic solid mechanics. A foil mast is a beam, subject to bending and torsion loads. The most effective way to increase stiffness is to grow the moment of inertia, and more specifically the beam height. In a foil, this means a thicker section, which comes at the expense of drag. At 19mm, Project Cedrus is a little thicker than most masts, but a similar profile to the Axis mast, for example. Mast drag is only one component of total foil drag, and the further out of the water you extend the smaller the impact. Working with an America’s Cup foil designer, I optimized the section shape Project Cedrus for stiffness, weight, drag, and separation angle.
Who is Project Cedrus designed for?
Project Cedrus was designed for those who want the freedom to ride any board with whatever wingset they wish. It’s for those who are tired of being forced to buy an entirely new setup just because they want to try a different pair of wings. It’s for riders who want the stiffest, most responsive feel possible but have buckled aluminum masts or cracked foam-cored carbon masts. It’s for kiters who also like to SUP foil, for foil surfers who want a specific length. The new sport of wingsurfing is also proving to be a perfect match for the stiffness of Project Cedrus. It’s for the unfortunate riders who have a long walk to the beach, or travel a lot for wind, who will most appreciate the dramatic weight savings. The mast was not optimized for riders who want to race, set speed records, or ride fast tow-in swell conditions. Designing for top end speed would actually come at the expense of low speed carving characteristics, as thinner sections can actually have higher lift induced drag at low speeds. Think of Project Cedrus as your fat waisted rockered powder skis, as opposed to GS race skis. It was designed to be playful and fun, a perfect balance of performance.
What is the warranty & satisfaction policy?
Project Cedrus is backed by a 2 year structural warranty on the mast. Adapters and mounts are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Over the last few years, I have actually found that Adapters are stronger than many OEM mast interfaces, and typically fail due to OEM hardware selection (eg. M6 fasteners). As an entirely self-funded small business, Adherend Innovations, LLC simply cannot afford to take returns for any other reason. Demos are encouraged, and we will do our best to facilitate them. Each mast is made to order, and uniquely serialized. Cosmetic blemishes may exist, but performance is guaranteed. The marine environment is incredibly harsh, and how the foil is cared for will ultimately govern the service life. That being said, any clear manufacturing defect causing failure under reasonable load conditions will be recognized as such and I will do my best to facilitate unsatisfied customers at any point of their ownership.
What is the return policy?
Project Cedrus is custom-made for you. As a result, we cannot accept returns or offer refunds. With over 300 satisfied customers, we are confident you will be stoked with your mast. And if you’re not, we’ll do our best to help.