Another thing I never experienced in 14 years of windsurfing is freestyle sail. How are those compared to lets say Neil pryde combat?
A freestyle sail is like a freestyle board - designed specific for freestyle. Having said that, I think a freestyle sail is a bit more broad in it's use than a freestyle board. There is massive low end power (sail size smaller) with the forces high on the sail (for popping on flat water). However, it becomes unstable at the upper end of the wind range. They are very light. So not as durable (thinner materials) vs a regular sail. Aside from my moderate freestyle, I've used my freestyle sail for foiling when wind is steady (not going near the overpowered state). Great low end pumping then extremely light when on the foil. Never used it for other sailing versions.
Depends on the freestyle sail. Some are more "freewavy" than others and can be tuned for more wind with more downhaul.
Agreed that more dowhaul helps on a freestyle sail as wind increases. My specific experience is only with a single 4.8 freestyle sail. The original poster (OP) was (as a side curiosity) comparing to a regular wave sail. I'd think that ON AVERAGE for the most people, there are noticable differences with sails when they are designed for a specific purpose. Mind you, we do adapt to what we have (and may not know the difference or do the side by side comparison). For me, if I dropped freestyle (not alot of sessions per year anyways for my moderate level of this) I would not buy a freestyle sail for my other windsurf versions. There are certain wave sail styles with the power high and forward on the sail that serve well for pop and low end power. A quick look online suggests the Combat is one of these (no personal experience for me to say for that specific sail). For say, spocks/vulcans, they work, though not quite as nice as the freestyle sail but are more durable and a wider use range. No wind lately so I guess it's the theories of gear talk now
.