Windsurfing Equipment Tests - American Windsurfer

Sails: Aerotech @ Maui

Control Bump Speed Style King Surf

Aerotech Freeride

A light, versatile single-cam that can be rigged either with a cam or without, the Aerotech Freeride earned praise from a variety of testers, including heavyweight Bill Russell who commented on its good range and low-end power. Lightweights noticed its low weight and light feel. A small luff sleeve and smoothly operating cam make it almost as easy to handle as a camless sail. Construction features include plenty of x–ply, even in the window area, and a vinyl foot protector. You can’t find a better sail for the money.

Size tested 5.2
Mast 430–21
Boom 5’7”
Weight 7.0
Durability B
Downhaul Ease 9
Rig Ease 8.0
Speed 6.5
Power 6.0
Stability 7.0
Waterstart 9.5
Rotation 8.0
Luffability 8.5
Price $385.00

Control Bump Speed Style King Surf

Aerotech Light Wind Wave

Billed as a powerful, lightweight sail for under-powered wave conditions, the Light Wind Wave delivers. We liked it best on a freestyle board in small surf - under half-mast high - and 8 to 15 mph winds. The kind of conditions where wave sailors are usually on the beach complaining. The lightweight and high–cut foot make sail tricks and duck jibes easy, and the soft, short–batten design makes the sail power up the instant a gust hits. We found that lightweight sailors didn’t load the Light Wind Wave up quite enough, which allowed the luff of the sail to flutter. As expected, we also found the sail somewhat unstable and quickly overpowered.

Size tested 5.5
Mast 430–25
Boom 5’8”
Weight 6.8
Durability B
Downhaul Ease 9
Rig Ease 9.0
Speed 5.0
Power 6.0
Stability 5.0
Waterstart 10.0
Rotation 10.0
Luffability 10.0
Price $393.00

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