V8 of course, if you want the best performance.Get an 05 or 06 model and use at least an X6 mast. If you can possibly test some I'd also look at overdrive, Naish redline, and Gaastra gtx. Can't speak for the others, but with a V8, when you go sailing and the wind picks up stronger than when you hit the water, you don't need to change down to a smaller size while most people will have to.

hi there,

im running a 6.5 Gaastra gtx, it is my 90% sail, huge wind range, from say 15kn to 30kn, just adjust outhaul seems to do the trick. Everytime I think I should have a smaller sail, this thing amazes me, very, very rarely feel overpowered, but can still get going in mediocre winds. good choice. but.... ive also heard great things about v8.

Ok the concensous so far is that the Neil Pryde V8 is the sail of choice but I shouldn't expect it to last as long as other sails. Some people say they must have the right mast others say its not so important for the V8. Anyone out there using a V8 on a standard diameter mast of 30%. Am I dreaming here, do I need to get a good mast too?

The Gasstra GTX also gets one vote. Not too many people on these it seems.

If I want the sail to last the longest get the Ezzy but this will be at the cost of performance.

As for the Aerotech, I have a 7.0m Aerotech Air and I have found it to be an average sail with not so good build quality. Its the 2004 version I think so maybe things have changed over the years (it was cheaper than other sails however, so you get what you pay for). Maybe the Air was just not one of thier better sails?

Cheers
Brett

The only thing I have against aerotech is their dacron material and seam material looks cheap.

bmanners,

I used to be a Neil Pryde fan but started losing interest when the durability of these sails was poor - the sail shape seems to put a lot of luff pocket pressure about 1 m above the boom. I had a great experience when I landed a 3 foot jump to have a the Pryde V8 6.5 rip from mase to the leach - completely through the reinforcing tape - this really cured buying Prydes for me. The best part of this is that the guy who sold me the sail was sailing right near me and saw it happen - The sail was replaced under warranty - but it cured me of buying a Pryde again.

Ezzy Infinity - I have just divested myself of an '05 6.6 2 cam model. These are nice durable sails that have excellent performance when they are fully or over-powered (I can hold the a 5.7 Ezzy in 30+ knots of breeze). In light to moderate conditions these sails lack bottom end. These sails are very finicky to trim with very minor adjustments making major differences in rig performance.

I have recently purchased a Naish Reline 7.0 and am very happy with the performance - good bottom end power, great top end. Love the cut-away boom/clew setting which makes the sail feel like it is smaller than it really is - sail gybes very nicely, with good off the wind power.

Going one step further to a full race sail(such as a Stealth) - you need to be able to water start very well in order to cope with such a sail.

- J

Go for last years V8 with the widish luff tube. That way the mono doesnt get too wrinkled.

Chad

You might like to consider the Tushingham Lightning 6.0m or 6.5m. Quality build construction, great wind range, easy rigging, nice price, very good resale value. Just won the UK slalom championship too.
Cheers
Jez

Tony,

What mast do you use in the Koncept? I have a basic 30% carbon wave mast and might buy a 75% carbon mast in the near future. Will the Koncept work well with these? I dont really want a sail that requires a 100% carbon race mast.

Cheers
Brett

i can't speak for the Concept.

but i have a 2003 6.4 kult, a 2004 5.7 kaos and have ordered but not received an 2005 8.5 formula.

i have also sailed a 2004 9.5 Kontender.

i have never ever had a problem. the 5.7 was second hand after a year in the surf when i bought it and still looks brand new.

the 6.4 i crashed very badly once and should have gone through it but i can't even tell.

the issue is the thickness of the monofilm. thin film from any manufacturer doesn't last as long as thick film. plus i think there are only a couple of factories in the world that make the sails. china, shri lanka etc.

you need to look at warranties. local gear is better for warranty issues. some shops buy gear at a discount because they are meant to cover the warranty themselves. beware this. the shop can tell you to go jump and then you are left high and dry. read the fine print i guess.