Universal / Stiff / Built to Last
Cedrus Evolution Aluminum Hydrofoil Mast
A sealed, welded aluminum foil mast combining exceptional stiffness, modular foil compatibility, and carbon-like performance at a more accessible price.
The Cedrus Evolution Aluminum Mast challenges the traditional compromise between aluminum durability and carbon performance. Its variable-profile extrusion, proprietary welded construction, and universal Evolution Adapter Interface deliver excellent stiffness, controlled drag, and compatibility with multiple foil brands. Choose the versatile Forged profile for performance across surf, wing, downwind, parawing, tow, and Foil Drive riding, or select the Clydesdale for maximum rigidity with exceptionally large foils at lower speeds.
- Forged or Clydesdale
- Universal Adapter Interface
- Permanently Sealed
- Foil Drive Compatible
- Made Near Seattle
Why Choose Evolution Aluminum?
Carbon-Like Stiffness
Cedrus uses profile shape and variable thickness to create exceptional bending and torsional stiffness. The Forged model is designed to outperform conventional aluminum masts and many HM carbon masts in rigidity.
Universal Foil Compatibility
Precision-machined Evolution adapters allow one mast to connect with foil systems from multiple manufacturers, reducing brand lock-in and making future foil changes more affordable.
Sealed Welded Construction
The proprietary welded assembly permanently seals the mast against water ingress and eliminates the loose connecting hardware found inside many conventional modular aluminum masts.
Durable Aluminum Platform
Anodized aluminum tolerates travel, hard use, reef contact, and cosmetic impacts without the repair concerns associated with damaged carbon laminates.
Windance recommendation: Forged is the best choice for most riders because it balances stiffness, drag, speed, pumping, and cross-discipline versatility. Choose Clydesdale only when your priority is maximum stiffness with very large foils at lower speeds.
Forged vs. Clydesdale
| Model | Profile | Best For | Why Choose It? | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Forged Best All-Around |
16 mm piercing region 120 mm constant chord 20 mm thick up high |
Prone, wing foil, downwind, parawing, Foil Drive, big-wave tow, kite foil, and wind-powered foiling | Variable thickness places more material where stiffness is needed while preserving a thinner, lower-drag section through the water. | Costs more than Clydesdale and has slightly more design complexity than a constant-profile mast. |
|
Clydesdale Maximum Low-Speed Stiffness |
Constant 20 mm thickness 118 mm chord |
Pump foil, dockstart, wake foil, beginner prone, beginner downwind, and extra-large foil spans | Extreme stiffness supports the largest foils at slow speeds, while its relatively low wetted area assists paddle-up starts and pumping. | Not optimized for the higher speeds, powered riding, or broad versatility of the Forged model. |
Can Forged handle large foils? Yes. Cedrus recommends Forged when you want one mast to do everything, including dockstarts and large pump foils. Clydesdale is the more economical specialist for riders using the biggest foil spans primarily at the slowest speeds.
Design and Construction
Variable-Profile Engineering
Unlike a conventional constant-section extrusion, the Forged mast changes thickness through its length to balance stiffness, hydrodynamic drag, and ventilation resistance.
Ventilation-Resistant Design
The Forged profile is engineered to keep flow attached around the region where the mast pierces the water, improving control during powered wing and kite foiling.
Robotic Welding
Cedrus uses controlled robotic welding to produce a consistent, stiff assembly that remains permanently sealed without adhesives or internal connecting hardware.
Stainless Steel Threads
Stainless steel threaded interfaces support strong, serviceable attachment points while the anodized aluminum exterior provides corrosion and cosmetic protection.
Evolution Adapter Interface
Precision tolerances and purpose-built adapters create a stiff connection between the mast and compatible foil fuselages from multiple manufacturers.
Foil Drive-Compatible Mount
Both Forged and Clydesdale use a board mount designed to accommodate compatible Foil Drive mounting solutions without changing the foil adapter interface.
Sizes and Recommendations
| Length | Recommended Model | Best For | Why Choose It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 cm | Forged or Clydesdale | Prone surf, wake foil, dockstart, pump foil, shallow water, and learning | The short length is highly maneuverable and forgiving. Choose Clydesdale for very large low-speed foils or Forged for greater versatility. |
| 75 cm | Clydesdale standard configuration | Pump foil, dockstart, wake foil, beginner prone, and low-speed downwind | Provides slightly more clearance than the 72 while retaining the stability and manageable leverage preferred for low-speed progression. |
| 78 cm | Forged or Clydesdale | Prone, downwind, parawing, Foil Drive, pumping, and crossover use | The best crossover length. Cedrus publishes a Forged weight of approximately 4.5 lb / 2 kg at 78 cm. |
| 82 cm | Forged standard configuration | Wing foil, parawing, downwind, Foil Drive, powered prone, and tow | Provides useful clearance in chop and swell while remaining more maneuverable than the 85 cm. |
| 85 cm | Forged standard configuration | Wing foil, kite foil, big-wave tow, open-water downwind, and powered riding | The additional clearance suits chop, speed, and aggressive turns. Cedrus publishes a Forged weight of approximately 4.8 lb / 2.2 kg at 85 cm. |
Availability note: Windance displays 72, 75, 78, 82, and 85 cm in the product selector, but factory-standard availability varies by model. Confirm that the selected model-and-length combination is available before ordering.
Evolution Aluminum vs. Cedrus Carbon Masts
| Mast | Main Advantage | Best For | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Evolution Aluminum Forged Best Value All-Around |
Excellent stiffness, versatile performance, impact durability, and universal compatibility at a substantially lower price than carbon | Riders wanting one durable mast for several foil brands and disciplines | Approximately 1 lb / 0.5 kg heavier than Cedrus hollow carbon masts |
| Evolution Aluminum Clydesdale | Extreme stiffness for extra-large foils at low speeds | Pump, dockstart, wake, beginner prone, and slow-speed downwind | Less optimized for speed and powered all-around use |
| Evolution Surf Carbon | Lower weight and reduced wetted area for glide, pumping, agility, and surf-oriented turns | Performance prone, surf foil, downwind, and riders sensitive to mast weight and drag | Considerably higher cost and less impact-tolerant than aluminum |
| Evolution Wind Carbon | Lightweight high-speed stability, long-length stiffness, and maximum ventilation resistance | Powered wing foil, kite foil, tow, high-speed downwind, and aggressive riding | Considerably higher cost than Evolution Aluminum |
Why get aluminum instead of carbon? Choose Evolution Aluminum when price, impact durability, immediate availability, and the ability to own multiple lengths outweigh the carbon mast’s lower weight. Choose Cedrus carbon when saving approximately 1 lb / 0.5 kg and obtaining a discipline-specific profile justify the additional investment.
Universal Compatibility
Precision Adapter Required
The mast requires an Evolution-compatible adapter selected for the exact foil fuselage or connection standard you intend to use.
Change Foils, Keep the Mast
To move between supported foil brands, replace the precision adapter instead of purchasing another mast.
Evolution Adapter Compatibility
Forged and Clydesdale use the same adapter interface as Cedrus Evolution Surf and Evolution Wind masts.
Classic Adapters Do Not Fit
Original Cedrus Classic adapters are not compatible with the newer Evolution mast interface.
Compatibility warning: The mast alone cannot connect directly to a foil fuselage. Select the correct Cedrus Evolution adapter for your exact foil brand, model, and connection generation. Adapter availability and lead times can vary.
What’s Included
Included
- Cedrus Evolution Aluminum Mast in the selected model and length
- Integrated aluminum board mount
- Stainless steel threaded interfaces
- Fade-resistant gold anodized finish
Sold Separately
- Required Cedrus Evolution foil adapter
- Adapter attachment hardware when not purchased with the mast and adapter together
- Foil fuselage, front wing, and stabilizer
- Foil board
- Rubber board-mount pad
- Mast sleeve or protective case
Important: This standalone mast does not include a foil adapter, rubber pad, or protective case. Windance also offers an Evolution Aluminum Mast + Adapter Bundle if you need a matched mast-and-adapter package.
Care and Maintenance
- Rinse and dry the mast and adapter after use, especially after saltwater sessions.
- Do not leave the foil adapter installed for extended periods.
- Inspect attachment hardware, threads, welds, and mating surfaces regularly.
- Keep the board mount and foil connections clean before assembly.
- Follow Cedrus instructions for hardware, corrosion protection, and tightening procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose Forged or Clydesdale?
Choose Forged for all-around surf, wing, downwind, parawing, tow, kite, and Foil Drive performance. Choose Clydesdale for the largest foils used primarily for pump, dockstart, wake, or other low-speed riding.
Can Forged be used with large pump foils?
Yes. Cedrus recommends Forged for riders who want one mast to handle everything, including large pump foils. Clydesdale provides even greater low-speed stiffness for the most specialized setups.
Does the mast include a foil adapter?
No. A compatible Cedrus Evolution adapter must be selected separately unless purchasing the Windance mast-and-adapter bundle.
Will an original Cedrus Classic adapter fit?
No. Evolution Aluminum uses the newer Evolution Adapter Interface and is not compatible with original Cedrus Classic adapters.
Can the mast fill with water?
No. Cedrus permanently seals the mast by welding. It does not rely on removable caps, adhesives, or sealants to prevent water ingress.
Is humming or whistling normal?
Certain foil combinations may create audible or physical feedback at specific speeds. Cedrus states that this comes from foil and tail vibration transmitted through the stiff, sealed mast rather than a mast defect.