Any opinions out there on how the severne NCX and Gator would differ in the larger size of 7.5m? Considering getting a Futura 67 (106l) as a lighter wind board, already have a series of Gators up to 6.5 but would get an additional 7.5 to use on the Futura. wondering if should stick with the Gator or go over to the NCX for the final sail.
I have a 6 year old 5.7 gator 7.0 NCX. I replaced the NCX this year as it was worn out with a Turbo GT to give cams a go after a 15 year run of no cammed sails ever again. The Gator looks like it could go another 6 years, so if longevity is important, go with Gators, but in that large size Id go NCX or complicate things further and get a Turbo GT. Really stable, easy gybe and water start. The NCX is glorious sail too and my top speed is identical on the two, just a bit more bottom end earlier planning on the Turbo I think.
The lack of bottom end with NCXs had me move away from them to Overdrives. Plenty of people like NCX so maybe it's just me.
Get a turbo GT, loads of grunt but they do become a handful real quick.
that's compared to my overdrives which don't have much grunt but love loads of wind
i use a 9.2 turbo and from 8.6down overdrives
I would not change to NCX. Its an amazing sail but you will find the bottom end not much better than your biggest Gator (perhaps)
7.5 is the crossover size where the Gator becomes more 'freeridey' so not 100% on that - I reckon email Severne
Stick with gators, strong built, close to NCX power wise in that size.
Gators are a bit more expensive but worth it in the end.
NCX are sooo light, a real pleasure, but you have to be really careful to keep them pristine ![]()
The NCX has 7 battens vs 6 in Gators, which means better control and comfort when overpowered. The tradeoff is, as mentioned above, not as much lower end power. In addition, Gators are X-ply, which is supposed to be more durable, than the monofilm in NCXs
I have a few NCXs in different sizes, switched over from freeride sails this year. I was blown away by how comfortable they feel when overpowered. I am not worried about rigging a little too big anymore as I know that control is unlikely to be a problem.