Not sure if this has been reviewed previously but as I've got more and more fired up about foiling I'm re- assessing what sail suits best. For the past two season of slalom sailing I've used NP hellcats - no cams simple to rig and easy to gybe sails that for the average pension are as fast as most things you can buy

However after really getting into the foiling am considering getting NP V8s for next summer as they have two cams and from what am reading/ talking with other the feel is cammed sails suit foiling better....?

Discussing this with a Reg at windsurfing Perth he offered a trial of a RSX Convertible sail ( the Cross over foil/ slalom sail that is paired with the new one design RSX foil ready board) - 3 cams and full luff pocket very much like the full evo race sail

So in terms of the RSX Convertible sail.. tried it twice both days fairly light wind 10-15 knots only with the odd gust above that

Negatives
- feels quite heavy compared to the hellcats
- cam rotation in the 10-15 knots I sailed in on two sails is hard work and a really violent snap is required to get the sail rotated. Tried more boom length and varying downhaul but this persisted. Might be some cam spacers? or batton tension adjustment to rectify but as was a loan sail I didn't do anything in this regard

Positives
- beautiful thing to look at when rigged & easy enough to rig...despite the cams !
- Stable so so stable in gusts/ wind fluctuations huge difference to the no cam hellcats in this regard
- nice low down power and great top end when the odd gust came along
- because the sail is so well balanced and stable you can focus more trimming the board ...a good thing!

So in summary fairly convinced that cam sails are the go for foiling!

Thanks to Reg at windsurfing Perth (WSP) for the trial !!

I have not used the RSX sail with 3 cams, but I currently use the 7.7 and 6.7 V8. And for stronger winds I use a 5.7 and 5.2 Hellcat

(Board & Foil - JP 135 pro and NP/F4 foil).

The 7.7 V8 is the largest sail I use for the light winds (I'm 88kg) and find this is more than enough power and shape. I have been thinking about the race sails with more cams but I just don't want the extra weight and drag. Unless you're into racing every other weekend the V8 maybe just the ticket for you? The 6.7 V8 is an absolute dream to foil on and as soon as it's enough wind I find myself rigging that size up quickly. I agree the V8's cams give you a super locked in feel, that spills out gusts and yes I can concentrate on foil and board trim more.

The hellcats have great handling in strong winds and much easier to foil gybe. On the cam rotation they can feel stiff for the first 7/8 sessions then after that they free up a bit.

The NP flex top masts I feel also help with light wind pumping etc.

Thanks - Great pictures and appreciate the reference point with the V8s and agree think 2 cams enough of a step change - the full race sails suit some but aren't for me. Also good to know the cams free up

My current sails are 6.7 and 7.7 ( also about same weight) so typically when it's 15-17 knots I'm on the 6.7 and the 7.7 below this when using the foil. I've found as I've got better I can handle the gusts better but the current NP ALi foil likes about around 15knots ideally is my feel

I can't give a foiling point of view , but I can a NP V8 point of view.
I have 6:2 , 7:2 , 8:2 , 9:4
Kind of have it covered.
Im heavy.
Tried lots of types of sails. Lots of camms is stable and heavy.
Even a stable no cam like a hellcat is not stable enough. ( for heavy me )
2 camms is great.
North Ram was my choice of weapon until NP V8.
Awesome sail , good easy light grunt.
Pulls from the front and when it gets ugly the back hand control is good. They can handle a bit of too much wind.
Not sure about durability . In one year broke Four battens , one the protruding above boom , as expected , one second from the top , how the hell ! And the most concerning 2 x the tip inside the camm pocket , mmmm. ( not easy to get out without backyard surgery ) , but doable .
The camms flip good , solidly , but only 95 % of the way . All of the sails. Not that it's a notacible problem but then they pop fully half a run in . Don't know what to think about that.
Ive tried batten tensions but it doesn't seem to change things.
Does anyone else have this problem ?
I think it's a teething problem changing from the over complex cam system from the race sails and the Hornet and H2.
I love the simplicity of the new system.
Also a few bubles of delam in the heavy duty X ply in the down haul corner. But only in the heavily used 9:4 from mild to over pulled strong wind.
Having said all that it's the most comfy powerful sail I have used. When I say powerful I mean u can over size a bit and it's good . I think there may be more power per square inch sails . it's not overly fast but comfy
Hope this helps.

when cambered sails are new - they often do not flip to other side easily
take some time to break in
i like to leave just a little less tension on battens at first
AND i add a lubricant like McLube on the inside of the cambers
i just spray it on my hand or paper towel and wipe on inside of camber
important NOT to get it where boom attaches to mast - it will slide
95% flip is often good enough too - we get used to the pop ...

McLube is a dry waterproof lubricant - have heard the name Sailkote too

think i would like to go back to the freerace 2 cambered sails again !!
and it is VERY important to give FULL downhaul and adjust only outhaul
otherwise battens will break - learned my lesson with my MS-2 freerace sail
loved it, but beat the crap out of it - sadly

Cam spacers are worth a try. My 3-cam Loft 7.3 swichblade turned ok with no spacers, but add one each at the two bottom cambers made the transition seamless ...

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duzzi said..
Cam spacers are worth a try. My 3-cam Loft 7.3 swichblade turned ok with no spacers, but add one each at the two bottom cambers made the transition seamless ...

There is no way to add cam spacers on the V8 cam system.

I used to have the twin cam Hornets which were the predecessor to the V8's. They were a lovely sail but for me being a lighter guy they didnt exhaust quickly enough and they kept pulling me out of my stance which is **** when you are racing. I tried all different downhaul and outhaul settings and it made no difference so i went to full race sails and love them. The twin cams had plenty of grunt so if thats what you're looking for then by all means give them a go. :)

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Maddlad said..
I used to have the twin cam Hornets which were the predecessor to the V8's. They were a lovely sail but for me being a lighter guy they didnt exhaust quickly enough and they kept pulling me out of my stance which is **** when you are racing. I tried all different downhaul and outhaul settings and it made no difference so i went to full race sails and love them. The twin cams had plenty of grunt so if thats what you're looking for then by all means give them a go. :)

Were you using Pryde masts?

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Paducah said..

Maddlad said..
I used to have the twin cam Hornets which were the predecessor to the V8's. They were a lovely sail but for me being a lighter guy they didnt exhaust quickly enough and they kept pulling me out of my stance which is **** when you are racing. I tried all different downhaul and outhaul settings and it made no difference so i went to full race sails and love them. The twin cams had plenty of grunt so if thats what you're looking for then by all means give them a go. :)

Were you using Pryde masts?

Yep, all matched gear.