FREERIDE FOIL SAIL TEST
90 JULY 2019
THEY SAY
The V8 gives race like feel and per-
formance thanks to a race inspired
luff sleeve and deep, powerful profile,
alongside the easy handling of a fre-
eride sail. But that’s not all. It actually
became our sail of choice when learn-
ing, testing and developing our wind-foil programme. Suitable for freeride,freerace, slalom and pure foil boards.WE SAY
Rigged on a TPX 460 SDM, the V8 is largely
unchanged from last year’s series, except for a
visual update in new graphics and colourways,
and a slightly different cut in the outline below
the clew eyelets. Downhaul tension is easy to
apply and the ‘Integracams’ cams (either side ofN EIL PRYDE V8 7.7M
WEB WWW.NEILPRYDE.COM PRICE £769
the boom-cutout) pop onto the mast easily once
moderate tension is applied. There’s some good
tuning range available in the V8’s set, with plen-
ty of twist in the leech and a moderate to shal-
low profile forced high and forwards in the draft.
Exhibiting all the usual features and structural
innovations you’d expect from the Neil Pryde
name, the sail looks like it means business.
In marginal winds, the V8 feels light and
neutral in the hands at rest, its power subtle and
easy rather than forceful or overwhelming. Tall
in stature, with a long luff and high centre of
effort, the extra boom length and higher geom-
etry provided by the upper clew eyelet certainly
helps to infer more useful feedback as a gust hits.
The delivery remains crisp and precise, but with
a few well-timed pumps the V8 injects energy
quickly into the board, supplying instant early
planing efficiency that can easily take you by
surprise. Acceleration is rapid, the sail settling
naturally into a comfortable locked in position.
The faster it goes, the lighter and more balanced
the V8 feels, accelerating in the hands and cut-
ting an efficient, rewarding path through the air.
For foiling it pulls the rider over the board into
a more upright stance, thanks to the higher pull
position, slipping through lulls as if immune and
pointing at impressive angles upwind.
Applying more downhaul and opting for the
lower clew eyelet as the wind increases, the V8
continues to impress, its tuning range allowing
it to retain its manners and performance edge.
In transition, the cams rotate without sticking
or hesitating, actively snapping into place on the
new tack. They aren’t the softest here, so be pre-
pared to counter there firmness, but embrace it
and the force can be used to punch positively out
of the corners. For normal windsurfing, the V8
delivers the crispness and excitement of a thor-
oughbred race sail, combined with the handling
and range of a freeride exemplar. In foiling terms,
it is clear to see why the Pryde
team use the V8 when develop-
ing their foiling products. Its
efficiency and range count for
a lot, meaning you can tackle
varying conditions with just
one sail, from the most mar-
ginal winds, to full-powered
flying.VITAL STATS
Size: 7.7m Luff: 490 cm Boom: 205/210 cm
Battens: 7 Cams: 2 Ideal Mast: Neil Pryde
460/490 cm SDM Extension Required: 30/0 cm
Available Sizes: 4.8,5.2,5.7,6.2,6.7,7.2,7.7,8.2,8.7,9.4