"Never change a winning team" - the NeilPryde V8 presents itself in an unchanged cut, but in a new design with colour-coordinated reinforcements and a record weight of 4.8 kilos. When rigging, the high trim forces are noticeable, which can leave marks on your hands when setting up. For the best performance, the creases in the loose leech should not run all the way to the maximum point. Then the sail already shows a lot of loose leech and doesn't need any more luff tension - according to the test team, the "high" trim point sticks further forward in the sail than necessary.
In this setting, the V8 has a harmonious profile with a slightly flatter angle of attack than some of its competitors, but still plenty of profile below the boom. The V8 unleashes its unbridled power as soon as you get going, which is particularly noticeable when water- and beach starting. Here the sail requires a little more control from the rider.
Sporty riding experience with a racing character
However, as soon as you start planing and put the sail down on the deck, it shows its clearly outstanding stability. Over a very wide wind range, it lies calmly in the air like a hydrofoil and can be fixed extremely stable over the board. Even in the strongest gusts, the centre of effort remains constantly stable between the hands and only the power increases. This enormous power development makes the V8 one of the fastest sails in the test, both in the lower and medium range as well as in the top speed range.
The sail looks particularly taut, stable and sporty on the 95 per cent mast and conveys a particularly crisp feeling of speed. In manoeuvres it seems quite large, but relatively light. It shifts well, only the camber doesn't always rotate immediately into the end position, but experience has shown that this improves after a few hours of surfing. Overall, the NeilPryde V8 offers a very sporty riding experience with a real racing character, combining performance and fun for ambitious windsurfers. It goes very well with fast freeride or even better with freerace boards.
surf summary of the NeilPryde V8 7.7
The NeilPryde V8 impressed in the test with its enormous power delivery and high stability. Despite only having two cambers, it conveys a very sporty race feeling. The sail combines control and performance for ambitious windsurfers.
very powerful and stable, excellent controllability
high trim forces
very powerful
Technical data NeilPryde V8 7.7
- Sail weight: 4.8 kg*
- Mast weight: 1.85 kg*
- Sleeve opening: 114-158 cm*
- Mast used: NeilPryde SPX 95 SDM 460, 95 % carbon; 749 Euro
- Price: 1139 Euro
- Infos under neilpryde.com
*surf measurement
