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2021 Neil Pryde Combat HD preview

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Created by windaddict > 9 months ago, 27 Feb 2021
windaddict
VIC, 1121 posts
27 Feb 2021 11:05AM
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I took delivery of my new NP Combat HD this week after a rather long wait, anyway wanted to share some pics of it, haven't had the winds to get it wet yet.












Coming from a 2016 model, I have noticed the batten placement is different. On my 2016 the third batten down from the top seems to be a bit lower compared to the 2021 (I believe same shape as the 19 and 20 also) with the battens more spaced out. So the top 3 battens seem to be more closely spaced together in the newer sail. The colors look awesome for 2021, but of course that is a matter of opinion.

The 2021 has a shorter luff pocket by 9cm, and 2cm longer boom length.

Will update once I get it on the water.

Loreni
80 posts
27 Feb 2021 5:50PM
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Will you use the same mast? Flex top mast?

How's this sail comapred to wizard for freeride/cruising?

windaddict
VIC, 1121 posts
2 Mar 2021 9:27AM
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Select to expand quote
Loreni said..
Will you use the same mast? Flex top mast?

How's this sail comapred to wizard for freeride/cruising?


Yes I have X-Combat and X9 RDM masts which I have been using since forever on all my NP sails.

I cannot tell you how it compares, as I have never used a wizard sail before, but from my experience, the combats are really good for an all round do it all type of sail and obviously work especially well in waves. I have used combats in dead flat water for blasting and to me they are more than adequate, but if your special interest is freeride then it probably isn't going to be the best choice for you.

Marsatac
18 posts
17 Apr 2021 8:27PM
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Hi guys! Quiet new here as a writer but not as a reader neither to the windsurfing world.

Any review about these 21' combat?

I've heard they've got a good low end capability. Right?
What about their high end capability? (I'm heavy, around 100kg, and my smallest sail is usually 4.2, BUT with my actual Goya banzai 2018, I've missed a smaller one which was not the case with my previous 2016... that's what's behind my question).

Any knowledge about what sizes are working better, and which ones are less efficient in the 3.7 > 5.3 range .. if there is some difference (usually)?

Cheers

Daithidmg
53 posts
19 Apr 2021 7:22PM
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Hi Marsatac,

I'm on the large side too, 95kg. I've found with the evolution of the 4 batten sails I am generally using a size smaller than I would have with the 5 batten. I'm using '20 Combats, the low end is definitely good and the they can be tuned, particularly on the outhaul, to have a pretty good top end too, definitely better all round performance than the older 5 batten version. For me the big advantage is I can be on a smaller size earlier.

My sizes are 5.3, 4.7, 4.2, 3.7 and 3.3 (ended up with this kind of by accident but have ended up using it a few times!). Previously had '16 and '18 Combats in the same sizes, except 3.3. Personally I haven't found any big difference in efficiency between the sizes but 4.7 / 4.2 are the sweet spot conditions wise for me.

Marsatac
18 posts
21 Apr 2021 3:33AM
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Thanks!
I've really felt the same downsizing thing, and I've worked on it also, so I almost only sail with 4.2 & 4.5.
I'm thinking about taking 4.2/4.5/4.7 only... and a bigger board to complement the highland one (104l. for exemple)..

But I'm hesitating because :
. I may lack a smaller one - depends on the highend abilities of the sail (I would like a 4.0 with my 018 banzai right now).. And I'll end up using it twice a year because I can't use it when it's strong but gusty (as it usually is here...)
. lacking a 5.0 or 5.3 for some lightwind sessions, but they're always ****ty here (no waves as it's almost always windswell here)...
And I'm really upset to buy a 400 for only one sail that I will use twice a year for ****ty sessions...

... am I publicly thinking here?

windaddict
VIC, 1121 posts
22 Apr 2021 6:09PM
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Thats a pretty small difference in size, I have 4.0/4.5/5.0, I am 70kgs and that covers me in 90% of conditions. I could do with a smaller sail, but usually when its that windy, I am not really enjoying it.

I have 3 boards, 101 freestyle, 89 Magic and 75 Ultimate, in combination with those sails I can sail 16 to 35 knots

AlexF
532 posts
22 Apr 2021 5:49PM
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The 2018 Banazi 4.0 has a good lowend, so a 4.0 - 4.5 gap works fine, at least for me (93 kg).
But like you i found the 2018 4.0 has less topend control than the 2016 i had before and i often wished for a smaller sail in stormy conditions.
Therefore my next quiver will be 2022 Banzais 3.7 - 4.2 - 4.7 - 5.3

I use them in Goya C3 98 and One 105.

Marsatac
18 posts
23 Apr 2021 3:15AM
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AlexF said..
The 2018 Banazi 4.0 has a good lowend, so a 4.0 - 4.5 gap works fine, at least for me (93 kg).
But like you i found the 2018 4.0 has less topend control than the 2016 i had before and i often wished for a smaller sail in stormy conditions.
Therefore my next quiver will be 2022 Banzais 3.7 - 4.2 - 4.7 - 5.3

I use them in Goya C3 98 and One 105.


Interesting to get your feeling.
So I'm not just fabulating.
I think 2019/20 are better concerning that point, looking at some friends.
Let's see what 2022 brings.

I also think the combat are a little better regarding the low / high capacities.

Marsatac
18 posts
23 Apr 2021 3:21AM
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Select to expand quote
windaddict said..
Thats a pretty small difference in size, I have 4.0/4.5/5.0, I am 70kgs and that covers me in 90% of conditions. I could do with a smaller sail, but usually when its that windy, I am not really enjoying it.

I have 3 boards, 101 freestyle, 89 Magic and 75 Ultimate, in combination with those sails I can sail 16 to 35 knots


Yep small gap but that's my last 5yrs experience that talks... I've started with 3.7/4.0/4.2/4.5/4.7/5.0/5.3 quiver, then sold almost half of it based on my needs to keep 4.2/4.5/4.7/5.3, and finally found out that I've sailed the 5.3 3 times in 2 yrs, and the 4.7 much less than the 4.2/4.5.

I've spent some times in Chile some years ago, and there a lot of locals where only sailing 4.5. Always, from lightwind to medium/higwind.

For sure it depends on the conditions... but that makes a kind of sense to me now to concentrate on some sizes, and maybe have 2 boards to diversify.

AlexF
532 posts
23 Apr 2021 3:46PM
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Select to expand quote
Marsatac said..

AlexF said..
The 2018 Banazi 4.0 has a good lowend, so a 4.0 - 4.5 gap works fine, at least for me (93 kg).
But like you i found the 2018 4.0 has less topend control than the 2016 i had before and i often wished for a smaller sail in stormy conditions.
Therefore my next quiver will be 2022 Banzais 3.7 - 4.2 - 4.7 - 5.3

I use them in Goya C3 98 and One 105.



Interesting to get your feeling.
So I'm not just fabulating.
I think 2019/20 are better concerning that point, looking at some friends.
Let's see what 2022 brings.

I also think the combat are a little better regarding the low / high capacities.


I guess i have to correct myself in that i have the 2019 Banzais (yellow/fuchsia), just received them in 2018.
For the 2020/21 sails i think they only changed the Colours (from yellow to neon yellow).
With the 2019 lineup they changed the cut of the small Banzai sizes in that they got longer booms and according to the brochure more grunt.
So i think the 2019 4.0 is more of a grunty, lowend oriented sail, and the 2016 with shorter boom and higher aspect had more highend control.

Marsatac
18 posts
24 Apr 2021 1:53AM
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OK! Good to know. On my side, the 2016 4.2 was really good at low end. The high end control was also nice. On both side better than my 18, or maybe easier to set up...



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"2021 Neil Pryde Combat HD preview" started by windaddict