There are different options for you when you think about optimizing your equipment. Let's say that you sail with a Neil Pryde RS: X 9.5 sail and want to get the overall weight down and want to get a little better light wind performance. Here you would be able to optimize the battens.
The swiss firm NB-Fins, has worked on adding custom made carbon battens i formula and slalom sails, and have for example for a 2008 Gaastra Vapor 8.2 m2 (8 battens and 4 cams, approx. 6.6 kg) saved 46% ( form approx. 6.6 to 3.6 kg) of the weight and 54% of the inertia on the batten kit.
It is probably not possible to achieve the same numbers for an 9.5 NP RS:X sail, but if it was possible to reduce weight by 10 to 25% this would correspond to a weight loss of between 600 to 1500 grams, and thereby get the sail down on a weight between 5.5 to 4.6 kg. The same exercise could be done on other raceboard sails.
It is probably not possible to achieve the same numbers for an 9.5 NP RS:X sail, but if it was possible to reduce weight by 10 to 25% this would correspond to a weight loss of between 600 to 1500 grams, and thereby get the sail down on a weight between 5.5 to 4.6 kg. The same exercise could be done on other raceboard sails.
- Weight reduction of the sail
- Huge swing weight reduction, which means the sail is easier to pump
- More reflex in the battens, more efficient pumping
- Possibility the change the shape of the battens to fine tune the sail.
For more information go to MB-fins HERE
