Hi all,

Now that we have a website back, anybody got some input on early-planing wavesails, in the 4.7 to 5.0 range.

The old 4.7 is coming to the end of its useful-life, and with the end of the Pryde Zone era, it's time to evaluate what else is on the market.

This is the type of sail I'm thinking about: http://www.windsport.com/gear_article?news_id=1266

Same concept : http://www.continentseven.com/2012/03/13/naish-chopper-4-batten-concept-video/

Key ingredients are : early planing (light), neutral and stable feeling when not sheeted in, ability to control the power easily on the wave, ability to stay intact during long swims, clear windows, etc

Don't like: sails that keep their belly-shape when sheeted out, long boom-length (my 5.0 Zone), have front or back hand pull when a gust hits, etc

Thinking about the Goya Banzai (seen the guys sailing prototypes about 0.5m smaller than usual). Who all's sailing the 4-batten sails ? What's the verdict ?

Gonna be more for cross-offshore conditions, for some down-the-line riding. Control in the air, will be a bonus.

Thanks

Shot thanks.

Thinking maybe a demo day in PE, as there seem to be some good brands on the market. Need to see if there's any excitement about new sails in PE, then maybe we can get a few demo sails down here for a day or 2, and guys can see if there's anything they like, by comparing similar sails on the same day.

Any retailers got any demo sails in stock ? 4.7 to 5.0 size range ?

Would be nice to try before you buy. Don't think it will help to test-drive on port-tack.

Cheers

One sail missing from your test webpage is the gaastra IQ.

Had one in 4.7 and it's an amazing sail! I don't know if it's the 4 batten concept or this specific sail but it really work well for me.

They don't mention that on their website but it can only be rigged on a skinny mast (seems to be the trend to go anyway).

http://www.boardseekermag.com/equipment_reviews/equipment/4-battern-sails-results.htm

Cheers

Laurent

Hey Dave, check out the Hot Sails Maui Firelight

http://www.hotsailsmaui.com/sail.php?uid=18

here are some comments from happy local Firelight customers:

Roald: I'm very happy with my Firelight 4,7. You have to rig it with the right mast, 370 NOT 400 for starters and probably best to use the Hot sails mast too, although that's debatable. I find that the sails plains early (as early as my 4,7 NP Combat) when you give it enough belly, it's definitely stable when seriously overpowered. And on the wave it weighs nothing, I pulled off the biggest aerial of my life when I hadn't yet recalibrated to the weightlessness of the sail.

Adrian: I bought a Firelight 5.0 and two different size Bolts last year. I'm really happy with the HSM sails, and masts. Great quality, great performance. The Firelight is really damn light and so far seems like it's going to last an age. When I buy more sails the only question will be whether it'll be a Firelight or Bolt, but HSM, I'm very happy with them.

Nic: ...the Firelights have revolutionised my wavesailing and are by far the best sails i have ever used.  ...they are pretty sick for jumping too! Compact and having a shorter luff they are easy to rotate and provide smooth control in the air.

contact me for winter and pre-ordered specials...

also drop me a line if you would to meet up and take a Firelight for a test spin...

David

082 372 9475

david@hotsailsmaui.co.za