Robert, freeriders at NeilPryde are spoilt for choice - with Fusion, Ryde and Hellcat there are three models without camber. The recommendation is actually clear and easy: the Fusion is best suited to surfers who ride freestyle wave and bump & jump boards, try a classic freestyle trick or shred a small wave. The Hellcat was developed as a camberless sail, but is very stable and powerful, allowing you to accelerate on freeride, freerace or even slalom boards. The Ryde is almost exactly in the middle and combines the handling and manoeuvrability of the Fusion with the stability and performance of the Hellcat. It fits perfectly on the new generation of wide and thin free-ride boards such as the Magic Ride or Fanatic Gecko, on which manoeuvres are so easy to learn.
How does the Ryde differ from the other models in terms of design? The Fusion basically has a wave outline with a slightly longer fork and lower profile to improve performance and riding stability. It has five "normal" battens, which also allow wave use without breaking. The Hellcat is derived more from the Hornet camber sail and has the shape of a racing sail, just one tube batten less (seven, the ed.) and no camber to improve manoeuvring handling. And of course the Ryde is right in the middle in terms of batten count, outline and profile depth. The Ryde also has two tube battens in the centre area above the fork (hollow battens, which are lighter and improve control, but are also more sensitive in the waves, the ed.).
Ryde and Hellcat have what surf magazine calls the "Compact Clew", a distinctive corner on the clew that reduces the length of the boom. Why isn't this done on all sails? For this to work, you need a supporting batten that crosses the boom area, as on the Ryde and Hellcat. This design then ensures that you can control the pressure point more effectively because the leech twists more freely and lets off steam. This is simply not possible with the Fusion because it only has five battens. If I were to install two of them at the bottom to enable the Compact Clew, there would only be three left for the entire top area. That's not enough.
To what extent are the target group and area of application also reflected in the materials used? Ryde and Fusion have nothing in common, both are solidly constructed and are also available as HD versions, i.e. completely in X-Ply. The Hellcat is slightly different, as it is designed more for performance and has a larger proportion of monofilament. However, it is a thicker and laminated film that can withstand UV exposure and crashes much better than the thin film used in pure racing sails, for example.
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
