Forums > Windsurfing General

Small sails - 4.5 NCX vs Gator

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Created by Out6ack > 9 months ago, 27 Aug 2022
Out6ack
NSW, 3 posts
27 Aug 2022 9:52PM
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Which 4.5 sail for blasting?
I'm a 95kg intermediate sailor and trying to choose between Severne's 6 batten NCX or their Gator for those brown arrow/pants days. Just blasting back and forth on choppy flat water with the occasional chop jump thrown in.
Most people seem to choose a Gator in these small sizes but wouldn't the stability of the NCX be more beneficial in maxed out conditions?
I'm after more control than my current 15yo 4.5 wave sail provides in 30+knots. Riding a 111L Futura.
Why do most people choose a 4.5 Gator over the NCX for these conditions?

Cheers

Sandman1221
2776 posts
27 Aug 2022 9:09PM
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I saw a Gator in a shop once, lower panel was heavy X-ply, that is the panel I hit the most. Maybe the name is supposed to imply it is built tougher than other sail lines? How often do you hit your sail?

Dezza
NSW, 953 posts
28 Aug 2022 9:16AM
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I'd go for the ncx, the 4.5 is great for high wind, I had one before the small size overdrive came out, on an 80l Isonic, it went well in choppy water and stable in gusty wind.

sboardcrazy
NSW, 8225 posts
28 Aug 2022 11:42AM
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I prefer the Gators but that might be because my 7m NCX was old and brittle where my Gators are new.
I imagine the NCX's will be a bit more stable but the Gators are easy to sail.

PhilUK
1098 posts
28 Aug 2022 3:39PM
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It says on their website:

NCX:
NO CAM SLALOM Engineered for performance, the NCX defines the no-cam freerace category.
IT'S RIGHT FOR YOU IF.
You don't want cams, and top speed and high-end stability are your main priorities. Suited to fast freeride, freerace and slalom boards. Improved performance in maxed, out of control conditions.

Gator
The Gator is an all-round freeride / freewave / blasting sail. Gets you going fast, and maximizes stoke.

IT'S RIGHT FOR YOU IF. You want to plane early, gybe easily, and make the most of any conditions on freeride or freewave boards.

Searoamer
NSW, 297 posts
28 Aug 2022 5:51PM
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Select to expand quote
Dezza said..
I'd go for the ncx, the 4.5 is great for high wind, I had one before the small size overdrive came out, on an 80l Isonic, it went well in choppy water and stable in gusty wind.


+1, but Gator may be nicer if it's very gusty, and way tougher when you crash!

Sandman1221
2776 posts
28 Aug 2022 10:58PM
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Select to expand quote
Peter Hands said..

Dezza said..
I'd go for the ncx, the 4.5 is great for high wind, I had one before the small size overdrive came out, on an 80l Isonic, it went well in choppy water and stable in gusty wind.



+1, but Gator may be nicer if it's very gusty, and way tougher when you crash!


That is what I was thinking based on looking at the Gator sail in a shop and the name seems to imply that too.

MHSA
SA, 96 posts
29 Aug 2022 7:40PM
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Isnt a 4.5 ncx meant to be used in a lot more wind than a 4.5 gator?

You can hang onto a 6.5 ncx in atleast as much wind as a 6.0 gator.. Probably even more.

Out6ack
NSW, 3 posts
30 Aug 2022 9:26PM
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Thanks for all replies
It seems the robust build of the Gator may trump the stability of the NCX for my usage.



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"Small sails - 4.5 NCX vs Gator" started by Out6ack