What are your opinions on twin cam versus no-cam? Some reviews suggest the performance difference is marginal and twin cam is heavier and harder to waterstart and gybe. Others suggest twin cam performance is much better for early planing, wind range and planing through the lulls.
Planning on changing my aging light wind kit from freestyle/freeride to more slalom focused. First step is to replace the 6.3 freestyle sail with say 6.5 to 7m (largest poss on 430 rdm mast).
Looking at Hot Sails as have the masts (sadly no longer imported to NZ). Or Simmer and Loft seem to have similar bend curves. There's a used 6.6 Loft O2 for sale locally or thinking simmer 2XC or V-max.
I am a lightweight (67kg) haven't used cam sails before.
Bigger sail and lighter/ gustier winds the more performance cammed sails will give you.
Tried recently a KA Koyote and then Koncept and much better performance in the lulls from the Koncept. Both in 7+ size.
Personally I use a Loft Racing Blade(4 cam) 7 / 6.3m on skinny mast (430) to get the best of both worlds. However if you are ditching the sail a lot a no cam sail will definitely make life much easier.
Also for waterstarting a vest of some kind makes a huge difference to ease. I use a prolimit impact vest and forgot it last sail. Made life much harder even on a 6.3.
Perhaps a bit more info about board / fin and sailing loacation will help responses
Recently I briefly demoed a Hot Sails Maui Speed Demon. It doesn't have cams. Despite this the centre of effort felt very locked in place and the sail was very stable. It also felt soft and easy to sail, quite slippery in the wind. It was very enjoyable to sail.
So to answer your question I don't think cams are necessary to have a good flat water sailing experience.
Go to Boardseeker and read the Magnificent Seven article. They basically ask and answer your question with the input of top sail designers.
Thanks guys.
What I am after is the largest sail I can rig on my existing gear (up to 475 luff and 210 boom for 430 rdm). It will be my light wind gear so looking for early planing and carry through the lulls I guess. I've never liked sailing overpowered as I am too light to hold it down.
Mostly for cruising up and down wind rather than speed back and forth. Would like to do more slalom just for fun.
I'll be thinking about board upgrade after this. ;-) Current board is a Fanatic Bee 104 which has been great but holding me back now.
Mike
I am 70kg and prefer to sail underpowered. I own a 6.5 Severne Code Red (4 cam race sail) and a 6.5 Severne NCX Pro (no cam race sail). I use the NCX Pro for ocean sailing (most of my sailing). It's easy to set up, very configurable and has a big wind range I use it on my 100L freeride board from 5 knots up to 25 knots. The Code Red, similar wind range but only use for lakes. Both these sails are apparent wind machines and are excellent in gusty conditions. The NCX Pro I find is much more hassle free (like a freeride sail). The Code Red is more technical and requires tuning when conditions change (okay in a lake when you can drop the sail and retune), however the Code Red is much more nicer feel to it. It's like (as a mate put it) "sailing an arm chair" :). At any rate, both these sails are great.
Note: My NCX Pro rigs on a 430/21. I use a Blueline 430/21 RDM.
J
