G’day guys, I thought I would give you my first impressions on my new 2008 Tushingham X-15’s. I swapped them for my 7.7m and 6.4m 2007 X-15’s last week
Yesterday I rigged the 7.7m as it was on and off gusting between 10-close to 30knts in the squalls at hardies Run.
Any way, the sails.
Stats
Mast required – 490(imcs range 27-29)
Luff – 5m
Boom - 221
Cams - 5
Rigging
They now have zips so you can access the cams and a simple “D” ring to hook your down haul pulley onto. I found it easy to rig, just sleeve the mast on top of the cams, 60% or the required downhaul, put the boom on with minimal out haul(too much and the luff sleeve it too tight to allow the cams room to pop on). All the cams popped on really easy.
Tuning
I found the sail easier to down haul than the 2007’s and the sail set with a nice amount of draught and good even twist.
I always set them with neutral outhaul as I use adjustable outhaul)
Down haul is always at max (to make the sail feel light)
On the water
The sail felt really light (lighter than the 2007 7.7m). It was definitely easier to pump and the power came on very smoothly giving me plenty of time to hook in and get in the straps. Once locked down it is very stable (what you expect from a sail with 5 cams) and yet I feel it breathes a lot better than the 2007 and it was more forgiving in the gusts.
When the wind picked up too aprox 20-25knts the sail remained stable and when I was brave enough I could lock it down and really motor. It seems to just keep accelerating.
Rotation
Is one area where the new roller cams really out shine over the 2007 models. In gybes once the sail is flipped the cams very smoothly rotate without much fuss and without the sail just switching on and pulling you off balance.
Build quality has seem some improvements in the luff sleeve with a much more robust material used this year.
Over all I am very happy with the new sail. I will let you know how I get on with the new 6.4m as soon as I get it on the water.
If you would like to take one for a spin(WA crew) just hit me up on the beach.
Cheers Bender
......
Well I have got out on the 6.4m a couple of times now so here are my first impressions.
Stats
Mast required – 460(imcs range 25)
Luff – 461
Boom - 199
Rigging
Rigging is easy as the cams stay on the mast no worries it rigs just like a RAF sail.
On the water
The 6.4m to me feels like it’s the perfect match for a standard WA sea breeze. Its is just so stable and as Tushingham say its top end is limitless.
I sailed it in fully powered up conditions at hardies Run in 15-25knts and found it cranks along without any fuss. I was constantly getting 30+knts without getting any decent good gusts.
I use an adjustable outhaul and this really gives the sail a huge range. At times the wind dropped out to less than 15knts and I could easily bag the sail out and pump onto the plane no worries at all.
All in all I think this size in the X-15 will be my most used sail in their range. I cannot recommend them enough.
Cheers Bender
