Windsurfing Equipment Tests - American Windsurfer

Sails: Neil Pryde @ Aruba

Novice Control Speed Race Explore Balance

Neil Pryde SuperNova

The camless SuperNova is an inexpensive sail, so it’s neither as strongly built nor quite as stable as the more expensive V6, and it lacks the shear tip found on the SuperSonic. Travis Lester simply commented that it’s “less stable” than the V6. Travis, however, is quite a skilled sailor who prefers more expensive sails. Still, the SuperNova is a capable sail for the rider who values light weight, easy handling and affordability. It rigs like a wave sail and feels as light as the scale says it is - nearly a pound lighter than the next lightest 6.0. We like it a lot more than last year’s V5, which was lacking in speed and power. This year’s version, by contrast, is competitive with the V6 in performance on a reach. Riders who need a good, light, easy-handling sail at a great price should check this one out.

Size tested 5.9
Mast 460–25
Boom 6’2”
Weight 7.0
Durability C
Downhaul Ease 9
Rig Ease 9.0
Speed 6.0
Power 6.5
Stability 6.0
Waterstart 10.0
Rotation 10.0
Luffability 9.5
Price $369

Novice Control Speed Race Explore Balance

Neil Pryde SuperSonic

The SuperSonic is the only camless sail in the Neil Pryde line to sport a shear tip, and while this doesn’t give it the huge range of the Pryde race sail, the Z-1, it does seem to help the sail’s performance. For example, the Super-Sonic isn’t the lightest big sail in the test but it has a light feel. We attribute this to the fact that the leech of the shear tip design doesn’t tighten up as quickly when the sail is loaded, as the leech of a conventional sail. Thus, even if the SuperSonic isn’t downhauled enough, it doesn’t have as much of a heavy, sluggish feel as an improperly rigged conventional sail. We also found the SuperSonic to be very adjustable and easy to sail in a wide range of conditions. It pumps ok, but not very well in light air because the mast whips too easily. However, as soon as the wind fills in a little, the SuperSonic pumps well and powers-up quickly. On a reach it’s fast and in a jibe it’s easy to handle. In short, this is a great sail.

Size tested 8.1
Mast 490–29
Boom 7’4”
Weight 10.4
Durability C
Downhaul Ease 9
Rig Ease 8.0
Speed 7.5
Power 7.0
Stability 8.0
Waterstart 10.0
Rotation 8.0
Luffability 9.5
Price $589

Novice Control Speed Race Explore Balance

Neil Pryde V6 FreeRide

This year’s V6 is the best ever. It has a narrow luff sleeve and low weight for easy handling, yet the narrow luff sleeve doesn’t translate into a knuckled leading edge and extremely draft-forward shape as it has so often in the past. More obvious to the casual viewer, the V6 has a new outline shape, with what Neil Pryde literature calls a “blockhead” configuration. This wide, square head design allows the V6 to rig on a shorter mast than in past years, thus minimizing swing weight. The new Pryde Bat Cam found on the V6 works well, at least in warm weather, and offers the lowest profile and weight of any Bat Cam yet. Lightweight tester Travis Lester said, "Great sail. Easy to jibe, rotated well. Light, easy to handle and fast."

Size tested 6.0
Mast 460–25
Boom 6’2”
Weight 7.8
Durability C
Downhaul Ease 9
Rig Ease 9.0
Speed 6.5
Power 7.0
Stability 7.5
Waterstart 9.0
Rotation 8.0
Luffability 8.0
Price $492

Novice Control Speed Race Explore Balance

Neil Pryde V8 Street Racer

This year’s V8 doesn't seem as power-oriented as last year’s version. It’s not designed for a 250-pounder who doesn’t want to have to pump, but rather seems a lot like a lighter, looser version of Pryde’s 1998 race sail, the Z-1. If it’s like the Z-1, it must have great speed, right? Right. It’s fast and has plenty of range, but it’s lighter and easier to handle. The positive cam rotation and full leading edge give the V8 great power and speed on a broad reach, especially when used with an on-the-fly outhaul that‘s been cracked of a couple of inches. The V8 isn’t the lightest 6.5 in the test, but it’s the lightest of the race-oriented sails and it’s short luff and shear tip make it feel even lighter.

Size tested 6.5
Mast 460–25
Boom 6’6”
Weight 9.3
Durability C
Downhaul Ease 9
Rig Ease 6.0
Speed 7.5
Power 8.0
Stability 9.0
Waterstart 8.5
Rotation 7.5
Luffability 7.0
Price $604

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