Windsurfing Equipment Tests - American Windsurfer

Windsurfing Equipment Tests - American Windsurfer - Windsurfing Reviews

Sails: Sailworks @ Islamorada

Sailworks X-T Racing

Size tested: 9.1
Mast: 490, 30
Boom: 7' 10"
Weight: 11.7
Durability: c
Downhaul Ease: 10
Rig Ease: 6.0
Speed: 10.0
Power: 8.5
Stability: 9.5
Waterstart: 6.0
Rotation: 6.5
Luffability: 6.5
Price: $732

Sailworks designer Bruce Peterson’s philosophy centers on the notion that we don’t really need five or eight different models of sails with their subtle (some would say artificial) differences. His approach is to get the most range and utility possible from any given sail or line of sails. This philosophy is evident in the design of the X-T Racing. It’s crafted for easy use by speed-oriented recreational sailors as much as by World Cup racers. We see it in the built-in tack pulley that permits us to downhaul the sail with our bare hands, the straightforward rigging procedure, the batten tensioners that you turn right to tighten, and the light construction that aids waterstarting and uphauling. We see this all-around orientation in the great power and pumpability built into the sail through the deep draft and not-too-floppy leech. The cams of the X-T, called “Variable Tension Cams,” are unique in that they can be adjusted for high- or low-pressure operation. Set with plenty of pressure, they give the sail more leading edge rotation and stability, which is good for overpowered sailing by serious racers. Set with little pressure, they give the sail a softer feel, softer rotation and slightly easier handling, which is better for most recreational racers. We found the X-T to be fast, particularly upwind and in the lulls, and reasonably easy to handle. It’s a competitive race sail that will work for all racers, both serious and casual.

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