North Sails S_Type 7.8 against X_Type 7.8

On land: The S_Type is very easy to set up, the large roller cambers fold very easily onto the mast, the lowest one can be omitted if desired. Typically, the camber sail requires one batten less for the same size, which results in almost equal weight on the scales. The trim forces were quite moderate both times.

On the water: There are three cambers in the mast pocket and you don't feel it - at least the first impression of weight when you set off is surprising. The S_Type also feels light, yet very direct and as if made from a single mould. Even in gusty winds, it is very stable in the hand, does not turn away and pulls quickly from the spot without any great technical demands. It accelerates very well immediately after planing, is extremely stable and calm on deck, and you can wedge yourself into a fixed speed position very well even in light winds. Tight and direct, it conveys a real racing feeling, the wide mast pocket and the racing look certainly contribute to this - a sail that is a great match for the JP Super Sport test boards, less so for the cosy freerider.

In medium trim, the S_Type covers a very wide range of use and can easily drive away from the X_Type in all conditions, especially upwind. In comparison, the X_Type is the softie of this pairing: it is slightly more direct than a NeilPryde Hellcat, but nowhere near as tight as its camber mate, the S_Type. On the 4.60 mast, the 7.8 sail works well without the additional camber support, especially in medium and high wind trim, and you shouldn't skimp on luff tension in particular. Even the manoeuvre handling is better in strong wind trim, where it rotates best under the NoCams, in low-end trim the battens sometimes get caught on the mast.

North Sails does not recommend a super baggy trim, but only a centimetre of trim variance on the clew - we would sail the sail even more bulbous without hesitation. Because both North sails can still be controlled well with very little tension on the clew, provided there is enough luff with the appropriate "looseness". There is hardly any pull on the back hand, which is a speciality of the North cuts. In terms of performance, the X_Type cannot keep up with the S_Type, especially in the somewhat flatter mid-wind trim.

Web: www.north-windsurf.com

NORTH SAILS S_TYPE 7.8

Luff: 484 cm

Fork length: 210 cm

Slats: 6

Weight*: 5.3 kilos

Price:759 Euro

Test mast: North SDM Gold; 75 % carbon; 460 cm; 25 IMCS; 2.0 kilos

Price: 519 Euro

NORTH SAILS X_TYPE 7.8

Luff: 492 cm

Fork length: 208 cm

Slats:7

Weight*: 5.2 kilos

Price: 759 Euro

Test mast: North SDM Gold; 75 % carbon; 460 cm; 25 IMCS; 2.0 kilos

Price: 519 Euro

*= Surfing measurement

Downloads:

Test: Cam against NoCam (pdf)