Yes,I,m using x6,s on some of my KA,s allows the head to twist off a little more.

X6 is not the perfect fit but OK. It depends a bit on the size as well. Larger sizes get a bit more mast specific due to more luff round, smaller sizes are more forgiving.
Koyote has less luff round than the Koncept so again a bit less mast specific.
They are not designed for a flex top , the KA masts are constant curve but at the flex top end of the constant curve bandwidth, if you get what I mean.
There are many sailors out there using KA,s on X6's successfully.

interested in a 5.3, no cam Koyote i guess. I'd really like to try some local gear. I think i saw that a 5.3 will set on a 400. Anyone have any thoughts?

the three masts i use are Powerex, KA and Art

Lordhowe, The 5.3 Koyote is an excellent sail. I used the 08 alot last season and it was a real favorite. It,s extremely versatile with a big range and very fast. It's top end is amazing for a no cam, so stable.
Yes it does rig on a 400.
Regards Martin

lordhowe, If you are not in a super hurry I will see if I can borrow a 400 X6 and rig it as it.
Regards Martin

I agree with Martin, I have an 08 5.3m Koyote and I absolutely love it. Super fast and stable. I rig it on a KA 400 rdm mast and it works just great. Get one you will love it

Lordhowe,

I picked up a new 08 5.3 KA Koyote about five weeks ago which I have since sailed twice rigged on an NP 430 X6 std diameter mast (purchased new in 07). Going 'local' really appealed to me as well, the other sail brand I considered was Severne (WA bred designer). Did a lot of research before-hand including contacting KA designer with regards to X6 mast compatibility as well as getting some great help from 'mr love' at KA on Seabreeze forum as well as via personal email (refer to my forum topic: 'Opinions please - KA Kult & Severne Gator/Renegade', last post 4/10/08).

I previously used an 06 5.4 NP Excess which never really felt right even on the recommended (X6) mast. Man, what a difference the Koyote makes! I'm really blown away by the performance of this sail, feels like my board (85L Mistral freeride) has got a new lease of life when used with the Koyote (my other sails are an 06 Tush Lightning 6.0 and an 05 NP Combat 4.5). Biggest surprise though is the amount of bottom end power the Koyote has after being told by some that KA sails (in general) are more biased towards top-end handling/control than bottom end power (load of bull I think). I've used the 5.3 in both powered and marginal conditions and it appears to stay powered up even when there doesn't appear to be enough wind for a 5.3. Top end handling and control is also excellent. Most probably a better sail in all respects than what has been my favorite sail of all time, a 5.3 NP MPR (I've been trying to find a 5.3 which comes close to the MPR's all-round performance for many years).

Only one gripe: the boom cutout appears to be a bit low. I'm 178cms tall and rig my boom halfway between chest and shoulder height. The boom sits just below the top of the boom cutout and won't go much higher than this unless I raised the extension, which I don't really like doing for freeride sailing as it increases the gap between the foot of the sail and the deck.

Arnold said...

KA sails perform just as badly on any mast, but my advice is to get a KA mast as this will ensure the life expectancy of your entire rig is greatly diminished which will allow you to buy something decent sooner.

I'm intrigued Arnold, can you name some 'decent' sails that in your opinion would perform better than a KA Koyote?

Arnold said...
GazMan, any sail that has not been put together by an insane chimpanzee would perform better IMHO.

seems to be not so humble... since we as a species evolved from them, that would put every brand at a disadvantage.

If there is something specific you dont like about KA as a brand, build quality, sail performance, etc, how about you just say so.

Alex, The 2007 Koyote was a Monofilm sail. 2008 onwards are 100% Xply construction.
Monofilm is less durable than Xply as it is prone to cracking if it gets continually creased while rigging or de-rigging, and if it does get a small tear it does not have the reinforcement to prevent the tear from becoming larger.
All films will deteriorate if exposed to excess UV , and again monofilm does not perform as well as Xply in this regard. As your sail is second hand it is difficult to know how much UV exposure it has had in its life time. Monofilm sails if treated properly will last for many years, but if it has been left in the direct sun a great deal the film will become more brittle, this is a reality for all sails.
The golden rule for all sails, try to minimize the creasing when rigging and unrigging and keep out of direct sunlight when not in use.

By the way Arnold,

Are you capable of saying anything positive about any of the windsurfing gear you have used?

i'm not sure why people complain about build quality of the sails.
...............................................
i really don't get what the bad comments are all about

They don't. The vocal very few (or one individual with many screen identities) is a troll who probably has links, real or imagined, with another brand. I favor the 'imagined' as I believe members of the industry would not engage in such low behaviour.

Don't feed the Troll!

Hi Guys,

I have a 6.6 Koyote and a KA 430 RDM. I'm just wondering how rigging the sail on the RDM mast will affect the dynamics of the sail? This is my first sail so I've not had a lot of experience seeing how an RDM mast might change the shape of the sail.

@ Alex: my Koyote (a 2008 model which is made with xply) is a seriously strong sail. I've had a couple of stacks in the past where I've fallen onto the sail with my harness hook, hard enough to visibly dent the matierial (probably 3mm deep). It's still going strong.

sailquik said...
Hi Andrew, I have not tried that particular sail with the RDM (I use the sail but I don't have a 430-RDM to try it on at the moment). Generally speaking the RDM's have a slightly 'springier' feel than the SDM because they tend to be a bit softer in the lower half. The shape is pretty much the same as usually the slightly more rigged bend in the bottom half compensates for the reduced diameter of the mast. There will be subtle differences depending on the actual masts being compared but we have found in general that the RDM's work very well and are recommended on the smaller KA sails.

Thanks for that info sailquik. Do you think the RDM mast would flatten out the front of the sail at all (the shape caused by the battens), and/or whether it would cause the sail to go slower than it would with the SDM mast?