PERSONAL opinions on what they are like? Are they mast specific, top end control etc etc. Interested in the larger sizes specifically! Are there any worthwhile reviews anywhere?

cheers

4xl,

I ride the 2007 Koncepts and have sizes 5.8, 6.6, 7.5 and 9.0 . They are a very fast stable sail with plenty of low down grunt. The boom lengths are very short which makes the larger sails feel alot smaller then they really are. The short boom length also allows me to ride a smaller fin/board combo without bogging the tail down. IMHO the build quality is on par with GTX/V8 but the performance and handling is superior. I run my sails on a number of different masts Fiberspa, north and Powerex and they seem to work no matter what you stick up them. They are also very easy to rig and tune (which is good for me because I am lazy).
The bottom line for me was that I was able to buy 4 sails for the same price that I would normally pay for 2 and I didn't have to go out and spend another couple of thousand on compatible masts.
Plus they are an Australian company with the R&D carried out locally.
If you go to the KA website as Martin suggested you will be able to also look up some local guys like Peter Dans or Chris Lockwood and maybe catch up with them for a closer look.

Cheers,
Chris

i was chatting to someone yesterday and he mentioned that the 2005/2006 build quailty was poor. What are the thoughts of those who have and currently own the latest and previous models? His words were that 'they virtually fell apart after one season'.

cheers

To answer the last question first, just about everyone who uses the Koncepts, absolutely loves them. They are very stable in gusty wind, slippery (ie: very fast), work very well for lighter weight guys because they twist off really well and the 2007 models have really good low-end power. Also, gybing is quite easy for a multi-cam sail (ie: fells quite like a RAF sail, but way more powerful).

You can use most generic brands of masts (eg: powerex), the more carbon the better they work, but they do work fine down to 50% carbon.

The biggest point to remember is that they are speed sails - which means monofilm and not too much reinforcement -> they are not wave sails. Ie: if your body hits the sail at 40 knots... well you can guess the outcome. That said, just get some big stickers to patch the torn area, then go out sailing again -> they are very easy to patch up.

As to the build quality - the only area that really needs some attention is the luff pocket. The cams and sand tend to come together to cause small tears, so you may need to either sand a few mm off the edge of the cam and/or put some extra stick-backed sail tape on the inside of the pocket at the point of cam contact (which is what I did to my 2006 models). Ie: if you compare an RS5 or RS6 there is extra cloth around the cam on the luff pocket.

For what its worth, I regularly use my set on Port Philip Bay and am quite happy to launch into 10+ ft jumps. But I wouldn't use them in surf (sand problem again...).

I,m currently using the 06 mod 5.8 and 5.0,and apart from putting my knee through the 5.0 I,ve had no problems.These sails get a lot of use and are never washed.I make sure that there is no sand on them when there rolled up.If you wash them in fresh water make sure that there dry before you roll them up.UV kills sails quicker than anything else.I rig the 5.8 on a north drops( gives a bit more twist in the head and the 5.0 on a pryde X6.These sails work well and are a great price.

Thanks reiffo 33knot peak out of a 9m is still bloody good. Sounds like i'll be making a good choice if I get KA.

Hi Mark Macdonald aka Bubber,
I am not sure why you didn't use your normal login?
I am a little bit confused about your motivation for your post but you have every right to your opinion. Given that you have addressed this to me I felt obligated to respond.

Build quality refers to stitching, battens monofilm thickness etc. I can lay the Koncept along side your gtx next time we sail and I can point out to you what build quality is.
My experience whilest working in a sailboard shop in Perth in the early 90's was that pretty much all the brands used to fall apart so I would be reluctant to single out any particular one.
Hmmm, hasn't your brother just experienced some bad luck with one of the brands you mentioned in the past couple of weeks. My understanding is that he is out of pocket to the tune of about $2000 due to poor build quality and cant get a warranty.

I think you lost as much on your last trade in as you would have paid for for a Koncept, I cant remember you actually ever selling either of your sails.

The "tester" was your nephew, who I had lent my 5.8m to to try out and you can read his review on GPS-speedsufing if you like.
I have not experienced any abnormal leach flutter and I used to find my both my Nitro5 and GTX had more. You probably havent found this as you would normally have to either be sailing overpowered or be going quicker then 18knots Ouch..... Sorry

My post was not intended to put down any other brand as I believe that most brands make quality sails, so I would like to applogies to any other GTX/V8 sailors if my comparison has also offended them. My intention was purely to put forward an opinion of someone who has sailed the current model KA Koncept.
If you would like to join this exclusive club then next time we sail together, this weekend hopefully, feel free to take mine for a spin. You really should take me up on this offer and take my kit for a sail as you will notice a difference.

Cheers,
Chris (I cant be bothered making up another login name to hide my true identity)