What are the differences in the performance characteristics of a 2 cam freeride sail compared to a 4 cam race sail? I understand that the race sail will be more controllable in higher wind, but will the race sail plane earlier in lighter wind than the same sized 2 cam sail, taking into account the extra weight?
How heavy are you ? The reason I ask is because I can only give you a heavy sailors point of view , tend to use sails overpowered past there average design parameters . So the more cams the better to hold its shape. I like sailing race sails but they are harder to get planing , a little slower jybing and a bitch to waterstart. Also a race sail tends to push the board down ( I believe from design , not weight ) A two cam makes the board feel lighter.
What Imax said.
It does actually take a bit more work to get a cammed race sail going. You have to pump onto the plane to get the flow happening over the sail if it's light on wind for what you use it in.
Once it's going though, the race sail will coast through lulls better than a no cam. I know not how a two cam sail goes compared to either. Maybe a case of a bit of both these worlds, but excelling in neither...
I"m a lightweight, 150 lbs., and proponent of no cams.
But two is better, FOR ME, than 4 plus wide sleeve, because I can rig smaller, plane up the same, get the same top end, and jibe better to boot. Also, two cams are rigged with less stress than full slalom sails, so they not only last longer, but their components last longer as well.
I"m sure cost is another factor. While I want to be the fastest in the water, I"m not willing the spend the most money to buy the raciest gear, just to be as fast as I really am, compared to the real fast guys who are just more talented.
Assume 75 kg sailor, board 245 x 90 x 165litres Freeride, eg. SLW, assume sail is 8.0 - 8.5, which sail gets you planing first in light winds, the freeride or the race?
i think the early planing question has been answered
there are other much more critical factors
will you drop the sail ?? if so, when luff fills with water can you water start or uphaul
when I am tired I cannot 
if the wind is steady - why bother with cambers at all ??
i used to be an advocate of cambers over say 8.0 m²
now I have gone to a Mistral Equipe II XR carbon with a HotSailsMaui SpeedFreak 8.5
glides magnificently in light winds and has fantastic range - board and sail
also have a JP SLW92 since I am heavyweight
buddy has an Ezzy Lion 9.5 on same board and loves it
it has 2 cambers and thus is "freerace"
i use a MauiSails TR-4 10.0 m² race sail on mine
for me it works great because i need to get through the lulls in 12 knot winds
however, I hate uphauling it and cannot water start it - beach start no problem
one thing i LOVE about wide luff = NO crinkles
mast slides right up the luff
HATE rigging narrow sleeve freerace sails with cambers
there are VERY good freeride sails now - for regular windsurfers - why camber at all ??
SailWorks Retro is a prime example
Just read the answers and you'll know a fast freeride sail planes up sooner than any Race/slalom sail of the same size.
Select to expand quoteLeeD said...
Just read the answers and you'll know a fast freeride sail planes up sooner than any Race/slalom sail of the same size.
Cheers, you're a legend
Select to expand quoteLeeD said..
Just read the answers and you'll know a fast freeride sail planes up sooner than any Race/slalom sail of the same size.
I used to own a 7.2 KA Koyote, which is a no cam freerace sail, and I think I could almost pump onto the plane in no wind with that. In reality I could get my 75kg going before the kites, always, with the 7.2m, a 110 litre board and a 40cm fin, which is pretty mediocre sized gear for light winds.
...Haircut could probably get it to plane in a vacuum.
P.S. Coming up to the GC for Christmas. I'll see y'all at Shearwater, or The Train. Missing those locations.
Select to expand quoteOrange Whip said..
What are the differences in the performance characteristics of a 2 cam freeride sail compared to a 4 cam race sail? I understand that the race sail will be more controllable in higher wind, but will the race sail plane earlier in lighter wind than the same sized 2 cam sail, taking into account the extra weight?
Two cams ..pretty good bottom end ,easier to use .still fast.and good stability .
4 cams ,better stability ,heavier , can be down hauled to the max.better top end .
if you want to race ,go full cams .
All brands differ.
if you want a easy time rigging and still be fast ,go two cams or none ..
my new cheetah has great top end .and stability .it does max out a little earlier than my 4 cam sail .
but in the right wind ,a pleasure to use .if you do the odd jump ,less cams .
2 cam has a really good compromise for sails over 7m for most recreational sailers
Select to expand quotedamianc said..
How would a Severne Race sail go on a formula board?
Made for each other.
Select to expand quoteTardy said..damianc said..
How would a Severne Race sail go on a formula board?
Made for each other.
I thought they were made for race boards, ie long boards, One Designs etc.
Don't they have a tighter upper leach than slalom sails?
I don't understand why race board sails are different but there you go.
Race boards are close to double the weight of Formula boards, and 2/3 the width, so they need more power to get up and planing.
However, a slightly heavier sailor and slightly more downhaul can compensate for the differences of sail design, as well as a possible slightly softer mast.
Everything is a matter of fine tuning. A smaller sail would generally not rig like a heavier sailor, his fin sizing would be smaller, as well as strap settings and track settings.
