Mucel said..
Hi
I know it's only a aesthetic thing but I like very much these compact sails, although I've never had one. They look smaller, they are lighter with shorter masts. It seems you need more simple equipment to get going, similar to winging. I think it's also good for the sport to look like this.
I would prefer 4 battens models as they usually have wider wind range and they are more all round.
The experience on any of these sails (also Naish chopper) and comparison among them is well appreciated.
I had the HSM QU4D for a couple seasons. They are really nice sails too - very light compact feeling with good range. I found them to pull more from the front then some other compact sails like the old Mauisails Mutant or Naish Chopper. That said, on a whim I tried the 3 batten KS3's & was totally blown away. Dimensionally they are not as compact as the QU4D but they feel very compact due to the very low & forward draft position. The sail just feel like it is on a swivel, & the low forward draft give tremendous wind range & good speed. Oddly the only advantage I could see for the QU4D is that even though it is 4 battens, it has a softer more "springy" feel & higher draft position that some people like. For me the KS is the perfect wave & bump sail: Fast & Rangy but does not like to just lock in & "mow the lawn" like some.
