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AMERICAN WINDSURFER MAGAZINE
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SAILWORKS REVOLUTION STYLE, 4.0, 4.4, 4.8, 5.2
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REVOLUTION 4.8
Mast: 430/25 Boom: 159
Battens: 5 Cams: NONE
Weight: 7.5/3.4kg Speed: 3.93 Power: 4.14 Stability: 4.14 Range: 3.78 Wtrstart: 4.43 Overall: 4.09 Price: $548
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Called Revo for short, this sail gets its name from the notion that it’s a revolution in versatility: it can do wave, bump-and-jump, and freestyle over 5.0 meters. The revolution is in its third year, with increased versatility through refinements in shape claimed for 2000, so it appears to be an evolutionary revolution. Also this year, a fifth batten has been added to the 4.0, as well as the 3.8 and 3.6. The pre-sprung leech and perimeter tension contribute to the Sailworks feel, similar to the Retro: a power delivery that’s broad and smooth, with ample oomph.
REVOLUTION STYLE 4.0
SCORE: (4 ratings)
Speed 4.5 Power 3.75 Stability 4.5 Range 3.75 Waterstart 4.5 Overall 4.20
COMMENTS:
The 4.0 Revo also was added belatedly to the test, at the same time as the 5.5 Retro, so it too lacked time on the water.
“It kept me moving when the wind died, and I should have been on a 4.5,” said Jackie Butzen. “When it picked up I sailed it in overpowering conditions, and found it easy to control—easier than the 4.3 Hot Sails Maui Slide, and the 4.0 and 4.2 Windwings. I could have been on a 3.5.”
“Better in the gusts than the 4.2 Windwing,” agreed Tim Quarles.
REVOLUTION STYLE 4.4
SCORE: (9 ratings)
Speed 3.89 Power 4.11 Stability 4.11 Range 4.22 Waterstart 4.11 Overall 4.09
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REVOLUTION 5.2
Mast: 430/21 Boom: 166
Battens: 5 Cams: NONE
Weight: 8/3.6kg Speed: 3.88 Power: 4.00 Stability: 4.00 Range: 4.75 Wtrstart: 4.25 Overall: 3.98 Price: $565
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COMMENTS:
Said Jackie Butzen, who by now had become our small-sail specialist, “It worked well for me in today’s up-and-down conditions. The only fault I found was not enough power for waterstarts on the inside. Its ease of handlling also made me feel that it wasn’t as powerful as some of the less stable sails I’ve been on. But I never felt out of control when I was overpowered with the 4.4 Revo and AHD 257 combination.”
STAFF: Mark Archer gave it 3’s in Speed and Power, 4’s in Stability and Range and a 5 in Waterstart. He weighs about 70 pounds more than Jackie Butzen, and his high point, Waterstart, was her low point; go figure. And his comments were again rather cryptic, in the sense that they were more complimentary than the score. “Really well… very well… really nice… a good sail that does the job with a smile.” Must be his British good manners.
REVOLUTION STYLE 4.8
SCORE: (14 ratings)
Speed 3.93 Power 4.14 Stability 4.14 Range 3.78 Waterstart 4.43 Overall 4.09
COMMENTS:
“Truly handles well in a large wind range,” said Coach. “Spills wind well. Larger guys were changing down to 4.2. I stayed on the 4.8 for quite a while.”
At first, Tony Cicale said it felt the same to him as the 6.0—a rearward center of effort. But then, aha! “After some tuning, the sail felt fine. Nice soft feel, but quite stable. A very stable center of effort. But still slightly more rearward than what I’m used to.”
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X-T RACING
Mast: 460/25.5 Boom: 217-219
Battens: 6+1 Cams: 3
Weight: 11/4.8kg Speed: N/A Power: N/A Stability: N/A Range: N/A Wtrstart: N/A Overall: N/A Price: $734
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“Sailed it both underpowered and overpowered at times. Powered through lulls well.”
STAFF: Speed 3.5, Power 4.25, Stability 4.0 Range 4.0, Waterstart 4.5, Overall 4.05
We knew it would happen. Four staff members rated this sail, and they gave it a 5, 4, 3 and 2 in Speed. A staffer who didn’t rate it, but who sailed it for three days in Baja after this test, says: If we’re talking relative to wave sails, there’s no way the speed can be considered anything less than excellent. And he joins Newfie with his approach to the Range rating: 5-plus. He switched to this sail when he was blown twitching off the water with another-brand 4.2 (two years old, mast way too stiff). The 4.8 Revo was eminently more comfortable in this 4.2 wind.
REVOLUTION STYLE 5.2
SCORE: (8 ratings)
Speed 3.88 Power 4.0 Stability 4.0 Range 3.75 Waterstart 4.25 Overall 3.98
COMMENTS:
“Good but not remarkable,” said Jeff Stewart.
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