I now have a hydra in 7 m. I got the 7 as I do not have a mast less than 430. Also being based in Brisbane I figured we get so many light days that the extra area would come in handy given my poor pumping skills.
Have only used it once as the wind has been up since I got it or I have been working.
The day before I received the sail it had been light and gusty offshore so used the 6.5 m Ezzy Cheetah. I needed the size to get going and went well but was a handful in the gusts.
Next day was similar so it was a good comparison with the hydra. Don't know if it was the extra.5 m area or the long foot that made getting going much easier. Noticeably much more bottom end. Big difference when flying in the gusts. The 3/4 batten seemed to make the sail much less affected by gusts and felt more comfortable approaching the areas where it was gusting. Maintaining level flight was also easier. You can hear the sail changing shape but it is not really transmitted to the hands. Almost like it dampens the gusts.
I don't claim to be a great sailor and I only took up foiling this year. The sail does seem to do as claimed. I am now saving for smaller masts and smaller hydras.
If you are in Brisbane area and want to try my sail to see what you think and post your thoughts PM me and we can meet at Wello on a day that suits and you can try it on your board and compare to the rig you are using. I will post a pic next time I rig the sail.
Very cool, thanks for posting our thoughts. I would take you up on that offer but I am based in Vancouver B.C. I had to look far and wide for decent windfoiling for discussion like this. All the best!
Yeah, thank you for the review. Waiting to get back home to try the 5.5 Hydra. Here in PR, we only have old ws gear.
I'm going to give the Hydra 7.0 a shot. It looks odd, but everyone I've heard from says it does exactly as designed. Here at 6000ft, I need the larger size due to lack of air density... but I'm most looking forward to having this sail handle the gusts. I will definitely report back on my thoughts.
Sorry this is a bit late but these test reports came in from Denis Jones after his first sessions on the new Ezzy Hydra on 3 December and 14 December 2018 on Melville Water
First Session
Hi Mark
First day on the Ezzy Hydra 6.0 today. Wind was 15 to 20 knots. There were a few lulls lighter and a few gusts higher. The below wind readings are towards the bottom and middle of the sailing area. (Pelican Point) I used the Hydra 6m on a Ezzy RDM 370 bottom, 460top. Downhaul just below the medium setting. I played around with the outhaul a few times. Deepened up in the lulls and flatter in the gusts. I'll probably put an adjustable outhaul as I found it much nicer when correct.
Foil is a Starboard GT on an old Starboard Formula board with the mast step all the way to the back. I thought the sail was pretty nice and made the session really enjoyable. As usual when I start foiling I forget how much concentration is needed. I was a little surprised how much power the sail had, it really took off. Once I started concentrating and getting the outhaul dialled in I could actually get in a relaxed upwind stance and it felt pretty fast and stable.
Downwind took me a little while to get used to. Again it had a lot more power than I expected and in gusts over 20 knots I struggled at first to get a safe and stable flight. I felt I couldn't ease out enough sail. Eventually I found just moving my back foot to leeward of the centre line and running deeper worked.
I could then sheet in again and play the true wind angle to keep stable flight. Overall I was really impressed and look forward to using it again. It's really light and so easy to uphaul. Feels just like a really light wave sail but not twitchy at all. I think you can generate a lot of power pumping and being conscious of closing the gap. Need to play around with that more. Here's my track. Top speed was 22.47knots which is pretty similar to when I used a larger 7.8m 2 cam sail. Regards Denis
Second Session December 14 2018
Hi Mark
Here's a couple of photos using the Hydra yesterday. (and GPS track and wind)Was a really gusty seabreeze from 10 to 25 knots.Setup was a Starboard GT foil on a converted Formulae Board.Hydra 6.0 on the recommended 400/430 mast Really enjoying the Hydra. It is definitely not slow. Getting to 22.5 knots which seems to be the upper range on the foil. It is much better on the recommended mast. I was using a 370/460 combo.
The feeling is like a really efficient wave sail with hidden power from the bottom batten.
Having the power at such a lower centre of effort keeps the rig really light in the hands. Also when the breeze gets up it feels you can keep drive hard and accelerate with control as the power source is so low. I've found the downhaul works best around the medium setting.
Only been 5-10mm either side. Any further I think would be reserved if you got caught out in the wrong conditions.
Outhaul I still play around with a bit to set for the gusts to have no back hand pressure, or for the lulls and downwind with a little more backhand pressure. Photos are from the end of the session when it was getting light.
Since receiving the sail in December, I have had more of an opportunity to use my new hydra. The more I use it the more I am appreciating the thought that has gone into the design. I will not go back to my free ride sails for foiling. Unfortunately this means I need another smaller hydra for windier days so the 5.5 is on my shopping list. The incredible tuning range of these sails will mean I should only need the two. I have finally got around to getting some pics of the sail in action. I had rigged for light winds but conditions improved quickly and I had to come in after the photos and increase down and outhaul. The board is a jp super light wind and I have fitted a carbon nose protector as I am still enjoying the odd (or not so odd) trip over the handlebars. My offer to try the rig still stands for anyone interested in trying in Brisbane.
Select to expand quoteSurfSailAUST said..
Sorry this is a bit late but these test reports came in from Denis Jones after his first sessions on the new Ezzy Hydra on 3 December and 14 December 2018 on Melville Water
First Session
Hi Mark
First day on the Ezzy Hydra 6.0 today. Wind was 15 to 20 knots. There were a few lulls lighter and a few gusts higher. The below wind readings are towards the bottom and middle of the sailing area. (Pelican Point) I used the Hydra 6m on a Ezzy RDM 370 bottom, 460top. Downhaul just below the medium setting. I played around with the outhaul a few times. Deepened up in the lulls and flatter in the gusts. I'll probably put an adjustable outhaul as I found it much nicer when correct.
Foil is a Starboard GT on an old Starboard Formula board with the mast step all the way to the back. I thought the sail was pretty nice and made the session really enjoyable. As usual when I start foiling I forget how much concentration is needed. I was a little surprised how much power the sail had, it really took off. Once I started concentrating and getting the outhaul dialled in I could actually get in a relaxed upwind stance and it felt pretty fast and stable.
Downwind took me a little while to get used to. Again it had a lot more power than I expected and in gusts over 20 knots I struggled at first to get a safe and stable flight. I felt I couldn't ease out enough sail. Eventually I found just moving my back foot to leeward of the centre line and running deeper worked.
I could then sheet in again and play the true wind angle to keep stable flight. Overall I was really impressed and look forward to using it again. It's really light and so easy to uphaul. Feels just like a really light wave sail but not twitchy at all. I think you can generate a lot of power pumping and being conscious of closing the gap. Need to play around with that more. Here's my track. Top speed was 22.47knots which is pretty similar to when I used a larger 7.8m 2 cam sail. Regards Denis
Second Session December 14 2018
Hi Mark
Here's a couple of photos using the Hydra yesterday. (and GPS track and wind)Was a really gusty seabreeze from 10 to 25 knots.Setup was a Starboard GT foil on a converted Formulae Board.Hydra 6.0 on the recommended 400/430 mast Really enjoying the Hydra. It is definitely not slow. Getting to 22.5 knots which seems to be the upper range on the foil. It is much better on the recommended mast. I was using a 370/460 combo.
The feeling is like a really efficient wave sail with hidden power from the bottom batten.
Having the power at such a lower centre of effort keeps the rig really light in the hands. Also when the breeze gets up it feels you can keep drive hard and accelerate with control as the power source is so low. I've found the downhaul works best around the medium setting.
Only been 5-10mm either side. Any further I think would be reserved if you got caught out in the wrong conditions.
Outhaul I still play around with a bit to set for the gusts to have no back hand pressure, or for the lulls and downwind with a little more backhand pressure. Photos are from the end of the session when it was getting light.
Nice photos. I do not own a hydra but think the idea of it works, creating a lot of bottom end power. Even if it looks a bit unconventional but isn't that what foiling is 
Ps, would love to know what Denis did to the back half of his formula board. Looks like layers of carbon, to sturdy up the box area? Is there any foot pads
Select to expand quoteCAN17 said..SurfSailAUST said..
Sorry this is a bit late but these test reports came in from Denis Jones after his first sessions on the new Ezzy Hydra on 3 December and 14 December 2018 on Melville Water
First Session
Hi Mark
First day on the Ezzy Hydra 6.0 today. Wind was 15 to 20 knots. There were a few lulls lighter and a few gusts higher. The below wind readings are towards the bottom and middle of the sailing area. (Pelican Point) I used the Hydra 6m on a Ezzy RDM 370 bottom, 460top. Downhaul just below the medium setting. I played around with the outhaul a few times. Deepened up in the lulls and flatter in the gusts. I'll probably put an adjustable outhaul as I found it much nicer when correct.
Foil is a Starboard GT on an old Starboard Formula board with the mast step all the way to the back. I thought the sail was pretty nice and made the session really enjoyable. As usual when I start foiling I forget how much concentration is needed. I was a little surprised how much power the sail had, it really took off. Once I started concentrating and getting the outhaul dialled in I could actually get in a relaxed upwind stance and it felt pretty fast and stable.
Downwind took me a little while to get used to. Again it had a lot more power than I expected and in gusts over 20 knots I struggled at first to get a safe and stable flight. I felt I couldn't ease out enough sail. Eventually I found just moving my back foot to leeward of the centre line and running deeper worked.
I could then sheet in again and play the true wind angle to keep stable flight. Overall I was really impressed and look forward to using it again. It's really light and so easy to uphaul. Feels just like a really light wave sail but not twitchy at all. I think you can generate a lot of power pumping and being conscious of closing the gap. Need to play around with that more. Here's my track. Top speed was 22.47knots which is pretty similar to when I used a larger 7.8m 2 cam sail. Regards Denis
Second Session December 14 2018
Hi Mark
Here's a couple of photos using the Hydra yesterday. (and GPS track and wind)Was a really gusty seabreeze from 10 to 25 knots.Setup was a Starboard GT foil on a converted Formulae Board.Hydra 6.0 on the recommended 400/430 mast Really enjoying the Hydra. It is definitely not slow. Getting to 22.5 knots which seems to be the upper range on the foil. It is much better on the recommended mast. I was using a 370/460 combo.
The feeling is like a really efficient wave sail with hidden power from the bottom batten.
Having the power at such a lower centre of effort keeps the rig really light in the hands. Also when the breeze gets up it feels you can keep drive hard and accelerate with control as the power source is so low. I've found the downhaul works best around the medium setting.
Only been 5-10mm either side. Any further I think would be reserved if you got caught out in the wrong conditions.
Outhaul I still play around with a bit to set for the gusts to have no back hand pressure, or for the lulls and downwind with a little more backhand pressure. Photos are from the end of the session when it was getting light.
Nice photos. I do not own a hydra but think the idea of it works, creating a lot of bottom end power. Even if it looks a bit unconventional but isn't that what foiling is
Ps, would love to know what Denis did to the back half of his formula board. Looks like layers of carbon, to sturdy up the box area? Is there any foot pads
Its all deck pad,not carbon.
I have to not though, all the pics / videos I've seen from people with the ezzy hydra sail with this kind of sitting / toilet stance (excuse me, not a native speaker and this is the first thing that comes to mind haha). Makes me wonder if the power low down promotes this... Most other foil specific rigs have the power going higher up almost untill the top promoting an upright stance.
not saying it is necessarily a bad thing, but i think the straight stance looks more gracefull and its one of the things I'm always aiming for when sailing, for it is also the most efficient stance for powerdelivery, especially with a waistharness.
i could be wrong and just missed the right pics and video's ofcourse ;)
I think the stance is lack of skill on my part and being overpowered at the time so trying to keep the foil in the water. I also had the foil in position C for the slingshot affinity foil. I put it back to B and was much easier to control. I am experimenting with foot strap positions too. I felt more comfortable in the straps today with the change to the foil mast position. The day of the pics I kept bringing the back foot out and forward of the strap to keep the nose down. Straight legs feel better for me weight shifting and height control as a bent knee I find can have the board rise up quickly before I react. Like I said I am still learning.
Zakk it was a squally day and as the fronts came through the gusts were so strong I would drop down open the sail and slog (no guts or glory). When I first went out I was planing going up wind before stepping back and flying so I would guess 14 to 15 knots. Pretty strong for 7m the foil position and my level. The squalls came through after. I should have been on a much smaller sail.
So would you say the 6.0 would be ideal for 14-18knts and maybe the 7.0 for 10-15 knts.? maybe 5.5 for 15-20knts
Zakk I think the factors for determining sail size will always be skill and weight of the pilot. You will no doubt have a range of sizes of sails that you have found suits you for different wind strengths. With the foil you can go down one or two levels for the same wind strength. So for me personally I would try to use the 7 m in say 10 - 13 knots and would look at say a 5.5 m in 14 to 16 knots. 16 + I still enjoy being on the fin - each to his own and what works for you. I am sure there are plenty of skilful sailors who can sail with less and others who power up with more. I'm definitely no expert, just super keen.
These sails have a massive down haul range (24 to 29 cm on the extension for the 7 m) and matching out haul. I have not tried max down haul yet and should have done so the other day. If you watch David Ezzy's rigging video for the hydra you will see how much he can change the sail shape beyond what is usual for a standard sail.
Select to expand quoteZakK said..
So would you say the 6.0 would be ideal for 14-18knts and maybe the 7.0 for 10-15 knts.? maybe 5.5 for 15-20knts
Depends a lot on your foil aswell, only way to know is just try, you'd also get batter at it. 7.0 should be enough in 8kts of wind with good technique, with the right wing and board combo you could maybe even snoop it down to 7kts. Im riding my 3.6 comfortably at around 14 kts, so there's whats possible, but I think for the average weight sailor (86kgs like me) a 5.0 should be enough in 14kts.
simply put, if you can plane with a 7.8 slalom sail you could also plane with a 7.0 freeridesail, for foiling that would be a 6.0 slalom or a 5.0 wave or something, making the gap seem even larger (7.8vs5.0).. i can go out 4 to even 5ms smaller than the people around me by picking a wing which gives so much lift it allows for a 3m smaller sail of the same type, I picka sail which is way more early planing than a slalomrig, which also removes another 1.5m, and then you have to make sure the trim/setup is right for the conditions and you can snoop off another half a m.
all depends on how far you are willing to go, what the gear is capable off, and for the last 2m2 basically how good you are.
Select to expand quoteRichardG said..
Looks like an extra batten in this Hydra, David Ezzy is using.
Also a new 8.5 appears to be available.
I have a Hydra 7.0 which seems to be good, nice and light, short boom and easy to handle, easy to uphaul, easy to rig and a lot of lift. I am just learning to foil at this point: 2019 Ezzy Hydra 7.0, NP 2018 F4 RS Flight, JP 150 Hydrofoil Pro.
wow Rich, I didn't know that you were foiling, great on you. I had my first try today, but the wind died and I didn't fly or crash.
For me, I have found that starting out with the oldest cheapest sails I have makes the most sense since they will all be shredded by the time I learn to foil anyway.
Select to expand quoteBSN101 said..RichardG said..
Looks like an extra batten in this Hydra, David Ezzy is using.
Also a new 8.5 appears to be available.
I have a Hydra 7.0 which seems to be good, nice and light, short boom and easy to handle, easy to uphaul, easy to rig and a lot of lift. I am just learning to foil at this point: 2019 Ezzy Hydra 7.0, NP 2018 F4 RS Flight, JP 150 Hydrofoil Pro.
wow Rich, I didn't know that you were foiling, great on you. I had my first try today, but the wind died and I didn't fly or crash.
Great to hear Dave. This foiling is a new experience for me..glad you are getting on board too.
Why does it look so deformed? It has no style to it, unlike all the other Ezzy sails.
Select to expand quote
Wow. Ezzy really needs to lift there game with info. Nothing on their website instagram or Facebook. New lion isn't even on there website and crew overseas have them already.
Select to expand quotejimbob SA said..
Wow. Ezzy really needs to lift there game with info. Nothing on their website instagram or Facebook. New lion isn't even on there website and crew overseas have them already.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/2020-Ezzy-sneak-peak-Taka-and-Lion
Select to expand quoteMrA said..
I now have a hydra in 7 m. I got the 7 as I do not have a mast less than 430. Also being based in Brisbane I figured we get so many light days that the extra area would come in handy given my poor pumping skills.
Have only used it once as the wind has been up since I got it or I have been working.
The day before I received the sail it had been light and gusty offshore so used the 6.5 m Ezzy Cheetah. I needed the size to get going and went well but was a handful in the gusts.
Next day was similar so it was a good comparison with the hydra. Don't know if it was the extra.5 m area or the long foot that made getting going much easier. Noticeably much more bottom end. Big difference when flying in the gusts. The 3/4 batten seemed to make the sail much less affected by gusts and felt more comfortable approaching the areas where it was gusting. Maintaining level flight was also easier. You can hear the sail changing shape but it is not really transmitted to the hands. Almost like it dampens the gusts.
I don't claim to be a great sailor and I only took up foiling this year. The sail does seem to do as claimed. I am now saving for smaller masts and smaller hydras.
If you are in Brisbane area and want to try my sail to see what you think and post your thoughts PM me and we can meet at Wello on a day that suits and you can try it on your board and compare to the rig you are using. I will post a pic next time I rig the sail.
I am considering the Hydra 7.0. I am in exactly same situation: started this year, poor pumping skills, and challenges with maintaining level height.
- How do you look back now on the Hydra?
- The lightwind days you described in your post above, how many mph or kts was that?
- also for comparison your weight?
Tks!
Select to expand quoteI am considering the Hydra 7.0. I am in exactly same situation: started this year, poor pumping skills, and challenges with maintaining level height.
- How do you look back now on the Hydra?
- The lightwind days you described in your post above, how many mph or kts was that?
- also for comparison your weight?
Tks!
Hi MProject04
i am 93 kg dry.
Compared to my free ride sails the hydra is much more pleasant to use on the foil. It is lighter feeling in the hands and, although it has such a long bottom batten, the boom length is shorter. It handles gusts very well and can be tuned a long way if conditions change. I am looking to get a larger hydra or hydra sport for those really marginal days but I think they are not due in Australia until November. Level flight will come with time on water as long as you have your foil properly set up ( point of lift for front wing balanced between the feet). I am still very ordinary at pumping but if you can create enough pressure in the sail to get back and really shove the board forward and unweighted it so the foil creates lift and unsticks the board you will get going a lot sooner than standing in the harness and hoping. if you are around Brisbane you are welcome to come and have a try of my sail on your board.
Select to expand quoteMrA said..I am considering the Hydra 7.0. I am in exactly same situation: started this year, poor pumping skills, and challenges with maintaining level height.
- How do you look back now on the Hydra?
- The lightwind days you described in your post above, how many mph or kts was that?
- also for comparison your weight?
Tks!
Hi MProject04
i am 93 kg dry.
Compared to my free ride sails the hydra is much more pleasant to use on the foil. It is lighter feeling in the hands and, although it has such a long bottom batten, the boom length is shorter. It handles gusts very well and can be tuned a long way if conditions change. I am looking to get a larger hydra or hydra sport for those really marginal days but I think they are not due in Australia until November. Level flight will come with time on water as long as you have your foil properly set up ( point of lift for front wing balanced between the feet). I am still very ordinary at pumping but if you can create enough pressure in the sail to get back and really shove the board forward and unweighted it so the foil creates lift and unsticks the board you will get going a lot sooner than standing in the harness and hoping. if you are around Brisbane you are welcome to come and have a try of my sail on your board.
Thanks a lot MrA! Happy to visit Brisbane once, but currently in Estonia (sailing these days with 8-10 degrees celcius airtemp :)
Thanks for the feedback. I started researching the F-type, then ended up at Sailworks Flyer, and now am more in the Hydra camp especially when I saw a rigging video and seeing what happens at the luff area around the 3/4 batten, the amount that can expand... also the 15 cm outhaul range tells a lot.
Select to expand quoteMProject04 said..MrA said..
I now have a hydra in 7 m. I got the 7 as I do not have a mast less than 430. Also being based in Brisbane I figured we get so many light days that the extra area would come in handy given my poor pumping skills.
Have only used it once as the wind has been up since I got it or I have been working.
The day before I received the sail it had been light and gusty offshore so used the 6.5 m Ezzy Cheetah. I needed the size to get going and went well but was a handful in the gusts.
Next day was similar so it was a good comparison with the hydra. Don't know if it was the extra.5 m area or the long foot that made getting going much easier. Noticeably much more bottom end. Big difference when flying in the gusts. The 3/4 batten seemed to make the sail much less affected by gusts and felt more comfortable approaching the areas where it was gusting. Maintaining level flight was also easier. You can hear the sail changing shape but it is not really transmitted to the hands. Almost like it dampens the gusts.
I don't claim to be a great sailor and I only took up foiling this year. The sail does seem to do as claimed. I am now saving for smaller masts and smaller hydras.
If you are in Brisbane area and want to try my sail to see what you think and post your thoughts PM me and we can meet at Wello on a day that suits and you can try it on your board and compare to the rig you are using. I will post a pic next time I rig the sail.
I am considering the Hydra 7.0. I am in exactly same situation: started this year, poor pumping skills, and challenges with maintaining level height.
- How do you look back now on the Hydra?
- The lightwind days you described in your post above, how many mph or kts was that?
- also for comparison your weight?
Tks!
Hey Proj04!
Any of the Hydras will help you a lot! I've been on a handful of hyrda's all season. Hydra 7.0, 8.5 and the Hydra sport 8.1. I've published a few reviews here. I'm in search of the lightest wind flights I can find. All of these sails deliver a fantastic foiling experience, especially with beginners. These sails have made my foiling much more enjoyable (I do revert back to the cheetah's from time to time to compare the differences). When in gusty winds, the Hydra out performs. When in flight, the Hydra out performs.
I have enjoyed my Hydra sport 8.1 over the 8.5. The only real difference is that elongated foot past the clew and Ezzy trimmed up the angle between the clew and the tack. However, the 8.1 has a slightly better advantage in stronger air (gusts).
As for the 7.0. It won't be as powerful as the 8.1 or 8.5. But if you like a bit more wind than the really light stuff, you can't go wrong with it. Of the traditional Hydra's, the 7.0 is my favorite.
Well the colours match my Hover 
