Sailworks NX 7...How cold is Port Phillip Bay????

This is the first time I’ve ventured into giving a review for gear, but I was so impressed I think that it deserves the effort.

I should state, to start with, I’ve been using Sailworks sails for some time after I was introduced to them about 12 years ago when some pretty good local sailors started using the now famous Retros. Since then I’ve used Sailworks almost exclusively, with forays into North, Pryde and Maui sails. These days I only use Sailworks for consistency across the platform, so I have Revo’s in the smaller sizes then Retro’s in 5.5 and 6.5 an X-T Racing and now an NX Racing.

I have always loved the Retros, as I sail a mixture of open water and flat, so the minimum luff pocket has always appealed to me…. Makes water starting in the swell soooo much easier.

The Revos shine in the waves for me ( I’m no hard core wave rider, but I do love to bash around at Gerroa and Bulli).
The other reason I stay with this brand is build quality and durability. I can’t afford to replace sails every season, or even every other season, so time has shown that these sails last, and last well. For this reason, when I replace, I go back to the same brand.

So, to the topic in hand…… I’ve recently started having a bash at GPS sailing, and after much deliberation and advise I decided to get a cammed up sail to stabilize my efforts and to try and catch some of the local aficionados!
I did the usual research rounds and ended up in Melbourne to visit my son, and, I arranged to meet the importer Chris Potocnik of Windsurf Systems. Great bloke, even let me try the new Revo’s in Port Phillip Bay……. Great sails as well- just a shame the weather wasn’t quite on side and the water was bloody freezing! I’ll write about them another day, and the Hucker that I ended up on!

So, after some talks and rigging up to ensure the finer points were clear, I walked away with a new Sailworks NX 7m!
I’ve still got Sailworks X-T Racing from the distant past (and which I still occasionly use), but the new NX was a far more refined weapon.

It rigs on a 430 mast to start with, and a moderate boom length of 202cm max. Whilst the mast is (I think) relatively small, the extension required is 30cm, the stated luff length is 458. The short mast allows for the fixed head cap.
The sail looked sweet as on my North Platinum Aero, so I didn’t need to lash out on a new mast (although I have since).

So to the acid test….. I took the NX out last week in a promising forecast which didn’t live up to the promise (so what’s new??). Didn’t matter too much at the end of the day.
The NX felt quite heavy on the grass, but as soon as there was any breeze it felt very light in the hands. A little gust had me up and planing instantly, acceleration was smooth and stable given the light breeze (12 to 15 gusting low 20’s). Once up and released from the water I tried out the new adjustable out haul ( it came with it- although I’m not sure if this is standard or a special offer) and after nearly spitting myself over the front, worked out how to manage the extra strings. The OH made a huge difference even in the light wind – I’m a new convert! I have to say that this was one of those moments, when I first sheeted in, when you know there is something afoot……. This sail felt really, really good!

Sail rotation in light wind gybes was a bit sticky, however I worked out that I had the wrong mast extension setting – I needed a little more. Rotation in powered up gybes was great; nice and snaaapppppy – just how I like it!

The real guts on the NX was speed…. I accept it was light wind, but this sail smoked! I was able to easily catch a comparable rider from 200m behind, in the same breeze, and absolutely power past. (I think the out haul helped as well.) I was on an iSonic 87 wood, which was about 20L too small for the breeze and my target was on a 7.2 and a 115L(?) board. I put the ‘easily’ in italics because it was….I’m an average rider, nothing too flash..just love blasting and having fun.

So there it is…. I love this sail….. best purchase in recent times, and now I’ve gained a little confidence I can’t wait to try it in a better wind – I’m thinking 20 – 25. I let you know how it goes.

So on the day, I was on an iSonic 87 Wood, with a Keef speed weedy special 23 fin and the new 7metre Sailworks NX. Wind was sub 20 (ave. 15?) gusting low 20’s. Primbee, Lake Illawarra. Much warmer than Port Phillip Bay.

Final point… I rigged my Sailworks Retro 6.5 for my son on the new mast mentioned above – a No Limitz Sumo 91% RDM 460. Changed the sail completely…I had been using a no name SDM 75%. I’ll never rig it on the SDM again.

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WindsurfSystems said..
Great stuff Richard, pity the forecasted conditions weren't better, still there's next time. You rigged the NX smooth - what a great shape, not even batten wrinkles. The key to rigging any sail is the mast you use, coupled up with the iSonic 87 you're going to be a tough act to beat, I'd be very interested to read your next review when you get the right winds.

I'm not sure if the sail in the picture is the same sail I seen rigged at primbee with a rdm mast, if it is I was surprised with the over shape of the larger sail on a rdm
the sail looks bullet proof with the minimal amount of monofilm
as we know the over all performance of your rig is determined by your fin which reminds me Ritch great review

Thx Chris and Keef, thanks for the comments

Yep, the NX rigged well on my mast, i'm very pleased with it! Hopefully the breeze will come in soon and I'll be able to give it a good run - the regular Prime Westerlies are sure to get here soon. We've had a couple, just need a bit more west so we can get thoe big long runs.......

Keef, I had the NX and Retro rigged when I saw you. You props saw the Retro which Charlie was using on the No Limitz RDM 460. I had a go too, when I could snatch it off him, and it was great on that mast as I mentioned above. The Retro is much easier for Charlie at this stage of his 'career' - light, no cams but still a powerhouse when needed. As you know they have been my go to sails for some time. If he keeps it up i'll need a new one for myself. Oh well!!

The photo does a better job of selling it than the online images, you can easily see the build and material difference from that image, on the websites not so.
Are the other sails built similar?
Haven't seen a SW in the flesh for years.

The retros get rave reviews, the hucker seems to split people which I find interesting, it's blurb claim is pretty cool for high speed blasting butbthe specs are very different in range to what would normally be considered 'norm' backed up by the recommendation to use a size 'smaller'

Anyone else got any reviews or images of the R or H in Aust? Always interesting to get 'different' brand reviews.

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JonesySail said..
The photo does a better job of selling it than the online images, you can easily see the build and material difference from that image, on the websites not so.
Are the other sails built similar?
Haven't seen a SW in the flesh for years.

The retros get rave reviews, the hucker seems to split people which I find interesting, it's blurb claim is pretty cool for high speed blasting butbthe specs are very different in range to what would normally be considered 'norm' backed up by the recommendation to use a size 'smaller'

Anyone else got any reviews or images of the R or H in Aust? Always interesting to get 'different' brand reviews.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/Sailworks-Retro-65-Vs-Hucker-66/

Select to expand quote

JonesySail said..
The photo does a better job of selling it than the online images, you can easily see the build and material difference from that image, on the websites not so.
Are the other sails built similar?
Haven't seen a SW in the flesh for years.

The retros get rave reviews, the hucker seems to split people which I find interesting, it's blurb claim is pretty cool for high speed blasting butbthe specs are very different in range to what would normally be considered 'norm' backed up by the recommendation to use a size 'smaller'

Anyone else got any reviews or images of the R or H in Aust? Always interesting to get 'different' brand reviews.

Hi, I've use my Retros all the time, they are my go-to bits of kit. In my book they are just great. I have an older 6.5 and last years 5.5. I use them on flat water and coastal sailing around Sydney (Botany Bay, Illawarra, Shoalhaven)

Last year I went up to the Noosa area and sailed at Lake Weyba. I took advice on bringing big gear, so the 6.5 was the smallest I took. Obviously it blew like stink the whole time and I was struggling for a bit until I down and out hauled like mad....... the 6.5 Retro soaked it up and off we went. Very tuneable, very reliable and tough.
Here are a couple of pics of them both. The 6.5 (blue) is about 4 years old at least, the 5.5 (red) is 2013. These shots are last December at Sanctuary Point, Shoalhaven. Great spot! PM me if you want more.