If you are trying to figure out whether the Waydoo 19.5 inch short mast is the right choice for your riding style, this video and breakdown will make the decision easier. I tested the mast in real conditions and pushed it through shallow water starts, slow planing, full foiling, turning, chop, and a full flight assist test. The goal is simple. Show you how the short mast actually behaves on the water and who will benefit from it the most.
You can watch the full review above or follow the guide below. We cover shallow water performance, stability, turning feel, breaching behavior, the surprisingly strong flight assist performance, and when to choose the 19.5 inch mast over the 27 inch option. If you ride sandbars, canals, tight shallow zones, or you are still learning the basics, this will give you a clear expectation of what the short mast can do.
If you want a deeper breakdown of the full Evo lineup, check our Waydoo Evo Buyers Guide on the site.
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What Is the Waydoo 19.5 Inch Short Mast Designed For?
The 19.5 inch short mast is built for shallow water access and beginner stability. If you ride in bays, canals, or anywhere the depth drops quickly, this mast lets you get moving without worrying about the foil striking bottom. Sitting lower in the water gives you more control, more forgiveness when you breach, and smoother early-stage practice.
It is designed for riders who want extra stability while they learn the basics of pitch, throttle, and foot pressure. Staying closer to the surface reduces the intimidation factor. You fall from a lower height, the board reacts faster, and mistakes are easier to recover from. This creates a calmer, more predictable learning experience for new riders.
Most Evo owners treat the 19.5 inch mast as a second setup. They keep the 27 inch mast for everyday ocean riding, then switch to the short mast for low-tide days, sandbars, shallow spots, tight canals, or teaching someone new. It is not meant to replace your main mast. It is the additional tool you use when the riding conditions or your skill level call for more forgiveness and versatility.
To compare mast options and learn which setup fits your goals, visit our Waydoo Evo Collection on the site.
How Does the 19.5 Inch Short Mast Feel Once You Are Foiling?
Once you lift onto foil with the 19.5 inch mast, the ride feels surprisingly normal. You still have enough height to cruise comfortably, carve small turns, and ride through light chop without the board reacting too aggressively. The main difference is how fast you reach the top of your height range. With less mast under you, you hear the motor breach sooner, and you feel the foil approach the surface faster than you would on the 27 inch mast.
Even with that shorter range, the mast stays predictable. When you do get too high and start to breach, it gives you more time to correct. You can hear the motor zing, feel the lift fade slightly, and bring the board back down without falling. This makes the short mast more forgiving than taller options, especially for riders still learning how to control height.
The tradeoff is simple. You cannot ride as high, and if you push speed hard in choppier water, you will breach more often. But for cruising, exploring, and learning to manage steady foil height, the 19.5 inch mast feels stable, controlled, and easier to save when something goes wrong.
Find the product here: Waydoo Evo 19.5 Inch Short Mast
Flight Assist Performance on the 19.5 Inch Short Mast
Flight Assist is Waydoo’s built-in height control system. When the board rises too high, it reduces power. When it gets too low, it adds a bit of lift. The whole goal is to keep you at a steady foil height without forcing you to constantly fight the throttle or change foot pressure.
Before we go deeper, here is one quick definition that helps new riders:
A breach is when the foil or motor comes out of the water because you lifted too high.
When you breach, the board usually loses lift and drops back down.
On the 19.5 inch mast, Flight Assist behaves differently than it does on the 27, 31, or 35 inch versions. With less mast in the water, the usable height range is smaller, so the system reacts sooner and with more authority.
Chris noticed it immediately in the video:
“I really feel it. It’s not even letting me breach.”
At lower and mid-range speeds, the assist catches height spikes early. If you start to rise too far, the system slows you slightly until you settle back into the stable zone. This gives new riders a calmer ride and prevents the sudden lift jumps that normally cause losses of control.
Where it really shines is steady cruising speed. The board holds height without wandering, and even when you push up too high, the assist steps in before the foil reaches the surface.
Chris pushed it deliberately:
“At speed seven I’m trying my hardest to breach. It just pushes me back down.”
At higher speeds, you can still override the system if you ride aggressively, which is expected. Flight Assist is designed for control, not performance carving. Even then, it softens sudden pops of lift and gives you extra time to recover before touching down.
For beginners or anyone who wants a smoother, more predictable ride, Flight Assist on the 19.5 inch mast is one of the most impressive parts of this setup.
Read also: Waydoo EVO Flight Assist Review
Why the 19.5 Inch Short Mast Works So Well in Shallow Water
The biggest advantage of the 19.5 inch mast is exactly what you see in the video. You can stand the board up, float it, and get moving in water that is only a few inches deep. A standard 27 inch mast would drag the wing or touch bottom immediately, but the short mast clears everything. That extra room makes a huge difference in flats, tight canals, and anywhere the depth shifts fast.
When Chris flips the board upright and the prop still sits above the bottom, that tells the whole story. In places like Biscayne Bay, Haulover flats, Marco Island channels, or any shallow stretch along the coast, this mast lets you launch without guessing where the sand ridge is. You get more usable space and a lot less stress when the water drops.
Another benefit shows up before you even foil. With the mast sitting lower, the board feels more grounded. It rolls less, reacts quickly to foot pressure, and helps new riders stay balanced while they get comfortable on plane. That lower center of gravity makes the whole takeoff phase easier and more controlled.
Read also: How to eFoil – A Beginners Guide
Where the 19.5 Inch Short Mast Fits in the Full Waydoo Mast Lineup
Waydoo offers several mast heights, each designed for a different riding style and water condition. The 19.5 inch short mast sits at the low end of the range, but it fills a very specific role that none of the taller masts cover.
19.5 Inch Short Mast
This is the shallow-water and beginner-friendly option. It lowers your ride height, gives you more room in tight or shallow areas, and makes height control easier.
As Chris mentions in the video:
“You can really tell how short it is. I’m in way shallower water than I would be with the 27.”
It is the mast you choose when depth is unpredictable or you want the smoothest entry into foiling.
27 Inch Standard Mast
This is the everyday mast for most riders. It provides enough height for stable cruising, smooth carving, and better performance in small chop. If you ride in deeper bays or open water, this is the default recommendation.
31 Inch Mast
This mast gives intermediate riders more vertical range and sharper carving potential. It sits between all-around control and performance.
35 Inch Mast
The tallest, most performance-focused mast. It gives the most carving freedom and the cleanest glide in deeper ocean water. Not ideal for shallow zones and requires more height awareness.
How the 19.5 Fits into the Full Range
The short mast is not a replacement for taller masts. It is the tool you use when depth, confidence, or learning curve calls for more control. Many riders switch between the 19.5 and the 27 based on where they are riding.
Read also: Waydoo EVO Short Mast vs Long?
Pros and Cons of the Waydoo 19.5 Inch Short Mast
Pros
✔ Shallow-water access
You can ride in zones where a 27 or 35 inch mast would strike bottom. This opens up flats, sandbars, canals, and tight inshore spaces.
✔ Easier height control
The lower ride height makes foil management simpler. Small mistakes are easier to correct, and you have more time before the foil breaches.
✔ Smoother takeoffs
Starting on plane feels more grounded and predictable. The lowered center of gravity helps new riders stabilize before lifting off.
✔ More forgiving when riding low
At slow and medium speeds, the foil stays controlled without sudden lift spikes.
Chris shows this clearly when he says:
“It’s trying to keep me down. I can feel it helping.”
✔ Better synergy with Flight Assist
The shorter mast lets flight assist correct height faster, giving new riders a steadier ride through light chop and turns.
Cons
- Limited vertical range
You cannot ride as high. Advanced riders will notice the ceiling quickly.
- Touches the surface sooner
In chop or while carving harder, the wing reaches the top of the water column faster, which can interrupt flow.
- Less room for aggressive maneuvers
Sharp carves, higher speeds, and performance-style riding feel more constrained compared to the 27, 31, and 35 inch masts.
- Not ideal as your only mast
Most riders end up using the short mast alongside a 27 inch mast rather than replacing it completely.
Read also: What eFoil Equipment Do I Need to Learn?
Final Takeaways From Chris’s On-Water Test
After spending real time on the 19.5 inch short mast, Chris’s reaction is straightforward. The mast does exactly what it is built for. It opens up shallow zones, gives beginners a calmer ride, and pairs surprisingly well with Flight Assist. It is not a performance mast and it is not meant to replace your 27 or 35, but it is a smart tool to have in the quiver.
Chris makes the point himself near the end of the video:
“If I’m going somewhere tight or sketchy, I’m taking the short mast.”
That sums it up. Use it when you need low clearance, tighter spaces, or a more controlled first experience on foil. Switch to a taller mast when you want speed, height, or stronger carving. Most Waydoo riders eventually use both.
Read also: Waydoo Evo Max 130L vs Pro Plus 90L with Flyer Pod – Video Review
Frequently Asked Questions About the 19.5 Inch Short Mast
Read also: How to eFoil – A Beginners Guide
Have Questions or Want Help Choosing Your Waydoo Setup?
If you are still deciding between mast sizes, wings, or full Evo kits, we are always happy to walk you through the options. We ride this gear every week and can point you to the setup that matches your water depth, experience level, and local conditions.
Have Questions About Your eFoil Setup?
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