Hi,

This is a bit of a rambling post so please bear with it.

Last year when I decided to get back into windsurfing I bought a rig off eBay. Its a Neil Pryde RX2 6.6 and a Neil Pryde carbon mast and boom. I am very happy with this setup. I decided to buy Neil Pryde sails second hand and concentrate on race sails. I bought a RS6 7.2 off Seabreeze and an old VX2 5.9 off eBay. I got them both for reasonable prices.

I haven't been happy with the RS6. I find it too cumbersome and don't like the huge luff tube on it. The heavy feeling is probably caused by the mast I have, which is too old for the sail. I find it difficult to rig it right, getting enough downhaul on it.

I've used the VX2 twice and it seems okay, in comparison to the RS6 it seems very light and easy to manage.

So I like the RX2 and the VX2 but don't like the RS6. I looked at the price of a suitable mast for the RS6 and its about $1200.

I was thinking to sell all three sails and the mast. I estimate I could probably get about $600 to $700 for them all. The VX2 is in fair condition, the RX2 is in good condition, and the RS6 is in fair condition. This money would be put towards buying two Ezzy Infinities, a 6.5 and 7.5. Both these sails rig on one mast, a 460. I'd buy a new RDM mast, possibly a Billows. I've been in touch with the bloke selling them and he is very helpful. He rigged his Neil Pryde RS Racing on one of his masts to check for me and sail it didn't rig right.

This would cost around $1600. Minus just say $600 for the sale of the Neil Pryde gear would cost me about $1000. So the costs are failry similar between getting the right NP mast or getting two Ezzy sails and a cheaper mast. Perhaps a different cheaper mast would suit the RS6?

I've got two boards, a Tabou 105 and 140 and I've got some older Sailworks Revos which are still fine and I don't plan on replacing. Based on Sydney's winds, the 6 to 8 meter size would be the sizes most regularily used.

Reading through your post its is difficult to extract your question - but i'll attempt an answer and point out some common mistakes as i go along.

If you are looking for race performance with easy rigging , inexpensive mast and boom combos and great wind range - i cannot reccomend the Severne Overdrive 7.5 enough. Or a similar design.

It will rig nicely on an inexpensive 75% carbon powerex mast , and a nice ally boom (i like aerons the continous front end delivers carbon performance at ally prices) mast choice is citical - DO NOT MUCK AROUND HERE TRYING TO GET RDMS / INAPPROPRIATE MASTS TO WORK IN THESE HIGH PERFORMANCE SAILS.

learn to rig and use this inexpensive set up and you will be competitive against anything on the water for speed.
In fact you can even get close to an extra 1m2 bottom end by experimenting with less down haul / outhaul settings in light air. The lower luff curve designs allow this.

Dont be a sail overtensioning clone - i see crew wallowing in 13 knots all the time because they rigged up their sail for the top end of its wind range. Its a very VERY common mistake.

Because of the easy low tension / moderate luff curve 3 cam set up you should outgybe most race sails as they are a bit sticky on rotations out of the gybe. You can even go for carving 360s on this set up - the cams rotate that well! The light rig weight also means easier carving.

Rigging is easy - i use my bare hands!

This combo is regularly competitive at the Ledge to lancelin race - which really sorts out the men from the boys regarding speed and control.

i was having a chat with chris lockwood a few weeks back (he rides these set ups as well - albeit the KA version - probably with some more expensive hardware) and we decided that most crew are on overteched , expensive 4 cam plus race set ups when they should be on 3 cam easy rigging set ups - that also deliver more acceleration AND more bottom end!

Thanks for the input. Yes its not exactly clear what I am asking. Basically I am wondering if I should continue down the path of buying second hand Pryde race sails or should go over to something a bit more freeridey.

Sam, I will try to come around sometime and we can have a look. I am rigging the RS6 on a Neil Pryde Race Pro 460. Its the mast that came with the RX2.

Reflex, I have only seen one Severne sail. It was very nice looking sail.

I am an intermediate sailor who just got back into it late last year after an 8 year break. Haven't really sailed that much as the Sydney weather hasn't been very windy, or its been windy when I'm working. Getting into GPS speed sailing but not committed to breaking records or going fast no matter what the cost is. I just enjoy blasting back and forth. Its boring but I like it.

Hey FormulaNova, I agree with you... there isn't much on the water that's faster than a well-set up Pryde. And I hate saying it! If you're after no-compromise speed then you really should consider one.

When I was looking for a sail for GPS-racing I didn't get an infinity because it only had two cams and I wanted something really fast and stable.

But for a freeride/reasonably fast sail I'd say go the Ezzy.

If going fast is a priority you have to keep the RS 6 and go and see Sam.As I mentioned to you Pryde race sails need pryde masts.Spend the extra money,get an X6,because a Pryde race sail rigged right is awsome.

Mobydisc said...

Thanks for the input. Yes its not exactly clear what I am asking. Basically I am wondering if I should continue down the path of buying second hand Pryde race sails or should go over to something a bit more freeridey.

If you want something more freeridey, get the NP Hellcat!! I just got mine and love it! it's fast & camless, hence easier to rig & use than the race sails.

Wineman said...

WINDSURFnSNOW said...
If you drop on by I can happily show you how the sail should be set up. Tuning and mast choice with race sails is everything.

Sam.

Hey Moby...ya not gonna get that on eBay

Thats true. I'm happy with all the responses to this thread. It made me think about what to do with future sail and rig purchases. I really like Pryde slalom sails. They always look the business and are definately amongst the fastest out there. There is no doubt my RS6 can be rigged better than what I've been able to so. If that requires a new mast then I'll definately purchase one off Wind Surf and Snow, along with some other stuff.

Wet Willy said...
How many times have you had your Hellcat planing?

I just got the Hellcat on saturday, and took it out for the 1st time on sunday, and I was planing. It's similiar to Joon's Saber, so you can use her as a gauge.

hey you're not always planing on ur Ezzy anyway.

I never understood the point of the flappy bit at the top of Ezzy sails... the bit of sail that extends past the top of the top batten.

It certainly gives the Ezzys a very distinctive look, but it seems like wasted sail area to me.