I have a 5.8 Alpha and it's one of my favourites. Plenty of power but tunable for a great range. I've even used it on my small slalom board and it worked well.
I tried a 6.2 Alpha at one stage but didn't find that one to be as sweet as the 5.8m

I have a 5.8 and 6.2 Alpha, and have been very pleased with both.
The 6.2 is a grunt machine in lighter conditions, but can be tuned to hold a big handful of wind. It's a bread and butter size at Currumbin and is a favoured choice of many sailors there for both B&J northerlies, and the much rarer cross-offshore southerlies. Works on wave, FSW, free-ride and slalom boards very well.
The 5.8 is sweet too, but does not get anywhere as much use. I tried a 5.8 Hellcat, but much preferred the Alpha.
I've tried the Firefly, but I don't like the heavy feel of it. It's probably got better low-end, but isn't as soft or slippery to me.
In smaller sizes, the Fly is a nice sail too.

I'd go the Firefly - much wider range and much more freerideable than the Alpha, but still capable in waves / freestyle

The Firefly has considerably more bottom end.

Yes it is about right - but when overpowered the Firefly will feel lighter as it is more stable.... so "lighter" is not absolute

barn said...

confused said...


So, given I have NP masts I'm feeling a bit stuck with NP and thinking of going for either a firefly or an alpha.

The chronic Neilpryde disease.. Unfortunately you will never enjoy windsurfing again.. But on the bright side a Japanese accountant just got a pay rise...

What crap. I've been sailing NP gear for 20+ years and the only regrets I have are the times I tried somthing else

Above are some classic symptoms of Neilpryde disease. Once host is infected, the successful Neilpryde Mind Virus is very difficult to detect. Occasionally the host will suffer complete and utter denial, lashing out at any mention of the disease. Host also will begin to congratulate other hosts on their Neilpryde purchases and continually recommend Neilpryde products to unsuspecting victims..

Side affects include a total loss of sense of humour and the ability to detect sarcasm. Also an instant loss of beach cred, only rivaled by the Ezzy disease endemic in certain WA beaches.

There is no known cure for the Neilpryde Virus except the deletion of all Neilpryde windsurfing operating systems, a period away from the water, and repeated doses of Vision Street Wear skateboarding commercials from the 80's...

Mark _australia said...

I'd go the Firefly - much wider range and much more freerideable than the Alpha, but still capable in waves / freestyle

confused - if it's a choice between the 2010 alpha and 2010 firefly, i agree with mark 100%

I'd imagine it might be the same with the 2011 atlas v firefly

2010 & 2011 fireflies have terrific wind range coverage. although there's a difference in luff length between the two years, they feel very much alike to sail. 2010 is maybe a touch more springy (classic ezzy-ish feel minus the ezzy weight) and needs more outhaul to compensate. Both need more outhaul than previous NP model wavesails

barn said...

Above are some classic symptoms of Neilpryde disease. Once host is infected, the successful Neilpryde Mind Virus is very difficult to detect. Occasionally the host will suffer complete and utter denial, lashing out at any mention of the disease. Host also will begin to congratulate other hosts on their Neilpryde purchases and continually recommend Neilpryde products to unsuspecting victims..

Side affects include a total loss of sense of humour and the ability to detect sarcasm. Also an instant loss of beach cred, only rivaled by the Ezzy disease endemic in certain WA beaches.

There is no known cure for the Neilpryde Virus except the deletion of all Neilpryde windsurfing operating systems, a period away from the water, and repeated doses of Vision Street Wear skateboarding commercials from the 80's...

Other symptoms are the rapid aging of sails, the general weakness of other bits of kit and poverty.

jh2703 said...

Barn....Don't you wear a NP harness, I guess it's hard to get that disease out of your system.

Its a Vaccination! plus NP haven't yet worked out how to make their harnesses only compatible with NP harness lines and Boom...

stehsegler said...

barn said...
Side affects include a total loss of sense of humour and the ability to detect sarcasm. Also an instant loss of beach cred, only rivaled by the Ezzy disease endemic in certain WA beaches.

Dude, what **** have you been smokin'? Everyone knows WA beaches don't have a Ezzy disease, they have a Severne disease.

BTW, if you read the original post the persona was asking for a sail recommendation between two sails that are supported to work on a Neil Pryde mast.

Sorry I should have been more specific, what I meant was the loss of beach cred that accompanies a NP quiver is only rivaled by the loss of beach cred that comes with an EZZY quiver, endemic to certain WA populations..

I did read the OP, Thats how the disease works, it forces the unsuspecting host to purchase duplicate copies of NP equipment. As even the smallest infection, say a NP mast, will force more purchases of compatible NP products... Leading to total infestation.

I have discovered a cure for NP disease. I got a kiteing injection

Nah, Fone. somebody told me cabs are attracted to trees and light poles and stuff

some people will not be happy when the rsx worlds come to　perth