WINDSURF MAGAZINE 83Once going, the sail then needs to adopt a profile that tunes itself efficiently
to the more head-on apparent wind direction. The sail itself can de-power and
become neutral for handling ease, deferring to the power of the foil to keep
driving the board through lulls and manoeuvres. Much like a large wave rider
tries to get away with the smallest sail possible, to account for the power the
wave will provide once flying down the face, so too can a foiler opt for the
small sail to account for the new energy source soon to kick in below the board.
Imagine the sail size chosen by big wave windfoil riders! We wait with bated
breath. With lightness and handling ease now at the fore, sailing harness free
is now entirely feasible ... and certainly a bonus if you’re thinking of sail-
ing strapless too. At the other end of the scale, foiling competition has seen
racers steadily scale up the size of sail they’re using, resulting in nigh on parity
between the sail sizes used for foil racing compared to slalom. In fact, with the
arms race ensuing towards ever increasing high aspect race foil sails (deemed
to provide more drive and efficiency in the light airs), the sail sizes adopted
are now closer to Formula windsurfing and an increasingly niche product.
The priorities for a sail to perform well for foiling are largely similar to
those desired in a quality conventional rig. Whether it be through a reduced
luff curve, extended Dacron luff panel, high sail geometry or refined batten
structure, the key attribute consistent with most is the ability to breathe and
generate useful bottom end power as soon as possible. This should, of course,
not be at the expense of sail stability, ensuring plenty of range. The decision
on which sail size and style to get is largely down to ensuring it complements
the board and foil size/style you intend to use it with. And as with board and
foil choice, the type of foiling you’re interested in is likely to be reflective of
your own normal windsurfing preference in the first instance.SUMMARY
Starting with the conventional twin-cams on test (the crossover sails for foil-
ing and normal sailing), we have the Severne Turbo GT that found great fa-
vour with most that tried it. Light handling, soft and very pumpable, its low
down camber placement allowed the rest of the sail to release and spring for
pumping efficiency. Just take heed of its light handling in marginal winds; be
subtle and resist the easy trap of over-sheeting. The Simmer 2XC has a simi-
lar ease, opting for a much longer boom and rider-focussed centre of effort to
mitigate the effect of a more solid profile. Neil Pryde’s V8 goes the other way,
being high aspect in nature, with an extra batten to provide more structure.
Its power is certainly more subtle in marginal winds, requiring extra rider
input, but once up to speed, its efficiency shines through. That leaves the
Goya Mark 2 - the first cammed sail tested from this loft. With masses of luff
curve, it feels large and stiff in the hands and requires real rider involvement
and technique to get the most from in ‘sub-planing’ wind strengths. Yet as
the wind increases, its acceleration and efficiency (both on and off the foil)
make it a very rewarding sail to use. Onto foiling specific sails and the closest
comparison to the Goya is the Loftsails Skyscape, a highly structured sail
that benefits from a reduced batten configuration for accessible foil blasting
across a wide wind range. The last three sails extol the virtues of an alternative
path, trying to use as small a sail as possible for manoeuvre-oriented freeride
foiling. The Duotone is a feature rich contender, with such a soft easy nature
that can’t help but accelerate your foiling progression. The Ezzy Hydra is a
unique looking sail, from a brand whose conventional sails already have dis-
tinguished design traits that make them great for foiling as well! Last but by
no means least, there’s the Compact Freefoil from RRD - a sail that combines
foiling attributes with the practicality of the brand’s unique travel bag com-
pact concept. And with the introduction of sub 200 cm foiling boards, the
marriage of the two ideas has never been more relevant.FINDINGS
Stepping back to grass roots for a moment, when learning how to foil for
the first time, it is not inconceivable for a rider to use the same size sail
they’d use for normal windsurfing initially, particularly the heavier sailor.
The reason is that it is so engrained in windsurfers that the sail is the sole
power source, waiting for the sail to provide feedback through the hands
before a step rearwards to engage the foil is even contemplated. It also means
the board used has to be of conventional form, with enough waterline and
rocker-flat to let the rider drive power into it through their extended front
foot. In truth, good foiling technique is more akin to poor convention-
al windsurfing skills! Stand back early, stamp through the back foot and
once flying, stand tall, hinging at the waist with your heels down! It is why
experienced windsurfers sometimes take longer to fall in love with foiling, as
they have to undo years of learning ... and it feels sacrificial!
Learn to manipulate the foil efficiently and the sail becomes purely an early
fuel-injector in the initial gust, enabling the rider to get water flowing over
the foil’s wings enough to be able stand back into position to work the foil.
THE LINEUP- DUOTONE F_TYPE 6.8M
- EZZY HYDRA 6.0M
- GOYA MARK 2 PRO 7.8M
- LOFTSAILS SKYSCAPE 7.6M