The end of cambered sails!

westender · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge

I enjoy the single cam option on a couple of my sails.

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 1190 Location: Montréal

the ONLY one camber sail I know of is the HotSailsMaui SpeedFreak
and have NOT seen one live/in action

freerace typically have two

are there other one cam sails ??

wynsurfer · Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Posts: 940

Ezzy Lion, one two or none

Arrgh · Joined: 05 May 1998 Posts: 864 Location: Rio

HSM GP1 in development, Severne Turbo GT (smaller sizes).

http://www.severnesails.com/freeride-sails/severne-turbogt

DanWeiss · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 2296 Location: Connecticut, USA

rswabsin · Joined: 14 May 2000 Posts: 444 Location: New Jersey

"In 1986 I sailed 1985 Simmers with one cam. I used them for everything -blasting, down the line and cruising around."

In the early to mid 90's, Northwave had a line of sails called the Tri-Lite which had a single removable cam that were intended for flat water blasting to wave riding. I thought these sails were brilliant. The cam was very easy to set on the mast and was easily removed. The sails came with an extra 3/4 length batten that would fit into the sleeve of the cammed batten (after it was removed) for wave riding. The upwind performance and powerful jibing ability of these sails was really awesome in flatwater and B&J conditions. These sails were designed for SDM masts but I was surprised to find that the cam fit really well on RDM masts once these became popular. They were a really fun sail.

Rob

shwhiteh · Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 2

When I started sailing formula I originally used a Sailworks retro 10.0 as a bridge to get used to the larger sails and new board. I eventually moved to a full cam 11.0. The retro gave great power and drive upwind, easily equal to my full cam sails. Where it did not perform well was blasting deep off the wind in heavy chop. The motion of the board pounding against the chop, constantly accelerating and decelerating would cause the sail to pump. Thiis "self-pumping" of the sail created control issues with constantly changing sail loads where with the cam sail it is just a matter of point downwind, hang on and enjoy the ride. Off the wind to deep off the wind is where the cams shine!

adywind · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 665

westender · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge

I know one guy that has a collection and will sail nothing else.

tramontana00 · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 204

Nothing really new here. Bruce P. used his Hucker for strong wind slalom racing with great success. Some conditions are just better suited for no-cam sails. That being said cambered sails will outperform no-cam sails most of the time. PWA guys have to register their sails, six sails max. so no room for too many options. Local racers can take advantage of no-cam sails. Question is, just how many sails do you want to carry around with you?

For freeracing, it makes sense to use no-cam sails. Less expensive, less maintenance, less tuning, easier to rig...if these are the objectives.

For max. performance, cambered sail is the king. More stability, wider range, more down-pressure for more control and speed, better average speed in gusty conditions, better top speed in gusts and better workout Wink