Non-cambered 7.5 Vs Cambered 6.4

winddave · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 37

I need to replace a 7.5 non-cambered sail. I see that Naish has a new sail for 2016--a 5 batton, 2 cambered sail called the X2. I would love to move toward smaller sails. What do you think of going with the Naish 6.4 to replace the 7.5?
Will I loose much power?
How will the sail handle?
Any input regarding this choice would be very much appreciated.
BTW, the Naish 6.4 goes on a 430 mast --I like this aspect as well.
Dave

justall · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 442

If you sail at locations where the wind doesn't get much above 15mph, and getting on a plane is important to you, I think you'll prefer the extra meter in the 7.5. I sail my 7.5 under those situations and feel frustratingly underpowered with my 6.2 (close to your proposed 6.4). Though, I should say that my 7.5 has the cambers and my 6.2 does not ... But I think the extra area is more important at these threshold wind speeds.

Might want to give us more information though, to give you a better answer ... Your weight, board volume, and typical wind speeds?

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

in florida i use my sails in this fashion:

9.0 20% of TOW
7.5 30%
6.8 20%
6.2 10%
5.8 10%
5.2 and smaller the measly rest

none are with cams. cams only offer better stability to enable sailors better gusty wind performance. they DO NOT add to low end power.

people that live in higher wind venues think a 6.8 is large.

in florida, if you were contemplating this shift, you would sail 70% less.

techno900 · Joined: 28 Mar 2001 Posts: 4161

winddave,

A lot of factors influence what you should do. It's hard to recommend something unless we know:

Typical winds at your sailing site
Board, boards you typically use
Weight
Skill
Water conditions (choppy, flat, waves, etc.)
Rest of your sail quiver (anything larger than 7.5? or smaller than 6.4?)
Aggressiveness - like to sail on the edge or just cruise.

With that said, there is a big difference for me between a 6.4 and a 7.5, but the choice depends on your typical winds. It you have a lot of windy days, go small. If you have only a few windy days, go big.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

It also depends on how you want to sail. No-cams can be much more maneuverable.

Ugly_Bird · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 335

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

1. What do you think of going with the Naish 6.4 to replace the 7.5? If you are constantly overpowered on the 7.5 I think it is a great idea. If you are normally powered or under powered on the 7.5 I think it is a bad idea. As John said, cams don't add power, they add stability.

2. Will I loose much power? Yes you will. Power comes from size first and shaping second.

3.How will the sail handle? The cam sail will be harder to rotate no matter how smooth the cam rotation and will never achieve a neutral feel when luffed. That translates to more twitchy sail in transitions such as tacks and greater difficulty for the sail to rotate over when under powered.

I love cam sails & have both cam & non cambered sails in the 6.0 & 7.5 range. Above 7.5 they are all cams. But I prefer cams only when I am absolutely lit & never use them when I am under powered.

Coachg

beaglebuddy · Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 1120

A cambered sail should also help when the wind is holey or on and off as the sail will retain it's shape when the wind lets off instead of going flat and still provide some propulsion. Should also sail upwind better as well.

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

bb, i have tested cam vs no cam in holey/gusty conditions. the draft stays further back, longer in no cams in lulls. hard to imagine, but true: draft back is, to some degree, desirable. i consistently was faster with a no cam in lulls versus my sparring partner with his cam sail.

cam advantages:

top end stability

set it and forget it down haul, once one gets it right

no cam advantages:

low end power

easier cornering

lighter

counter intuitive: no cams require more technical tuning skills. wind comes up, more tension, etc

rollerrider · Joined: 17 May 2003 Posts: 100

Most people prefer cambered over no-cambered in large sizes.
Cams don't give you more power they just manage it better.
In high wind a cambered sail will always handle better in that it will be more stable and give you that locked in feeling, if that's what you want.
Ezzy makes the best all around cam sail the Lion or older Infinity.
These sails are easy to rig, durable, and jibe well.
6.4 will not come close to 7.5 power.
Maybe get a cambered 7.0 sail.