As you might know, ive just got back into sailing. I bought a crap slalom board from the early naughties, which came with a few sails, a boom and a reasonably modern constant flex 30% carbon 460 mast. Surpisingly, i just rolled out and rigged up the 5.9 and the shape looks pretty modern... im curious to get soom advice on it. Its a 5.9 KA Predator. Has two cams and a square top that seemed really loose when i dowhauled it a fair bit. Amyone know anything about these sails and how to rig them? Thinking of taking it out on botany on Sunday in 20kts on my JP 93ltr fsw. Thanks in advance.

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2035 said..
As you might know, ive just got back into sailing. I bought a crap slalom board from the early naughties, which came with a few sails, a boom and a reasonably modern constant flex 30% carbon 460 mast. Surpisingly, i just rolled out and rigged up the 5.9 and the shape looks pretty modern... im curious to get soom advice on it. Its a 5.9 KA Predator. Has two cams and a square top that seemed really loose when i dowhauled it a fair bit. Amyone know anything about these sails and how to rig them? Thinking of taking it out on botany on Sunday in 20kts on my JP 93ltr fsw. Thanks in advance.

2035, go direct to the KA web site and ask the guys for some help. They will quickly get you sorted. Great bunch of lads and willing to assist any way they can.

The KA predators were a great sail.
If it's still in good nick it will serve you well and still rig on your 460.

They set with a god shape due to the cams, yet still have a narrow mast sleeve so water starting is easy for someone getting back into it.

You've got the flat head model, so that is the most recent of the predators. They twist off well and are light and easy to use with a fairly short boom length.

Use your money to get another size sail to complement it.

2035, The Predator is a bit before my time with KA so can't offer much help. A few of the "senior" KA riders would have used them so hopefully they can give you some tips.
Bondy, you obviously thought they were divine sails as you mentioned they set with 'God" shape. School teachers!!!

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Bondalucci said..

The KA predators were a great sail.
If it's still in good nick it will serve you well and still rig on your 460.

They set with a god shape due to the cams, yet still have a narrow mast sleeve so water starting is easy for someone getting back into it.

You've got the flat head model, so that is the most recent of the predators. They twist off well and are light and easy to use with a fairly short boom length.

Use your money to get another size sail to complement it.

Thanks for for feedback mate. I did actually have some trouble finding info on this sail. Not sure how old it is, but it seems reasonably modern. The sail bag says Predator, but theres nothing writen on the sail except the size.

Anyway, i rigged it with a decent amount off downhaul and the leech was pretty loose. Its got an indicator setting though, so should i use a bit less downhaul?

These were before all KA sails were given names starting with K.
They were a 2cam version of the stealth at the time, maybe late 90's.

For a late 90's sail it seems quite modern (based on looking at what the other guys are rigging). The leech is really loose, the head is square and the boom is short. Looks like it would twist off heaps in gusts. Ive got a crap old 5.6, but will take this one out on botany tomorrow in 20kts on my 93fsw. Rigged it up at home (maroubra beach) in about 20kts and it felt really stable (on land). Really keen to give it a try in 20-25kts.

Yep, your predator would be a 1999 model. The 1998 was not a flat head.
They were designed by Ben Severne when he was at KA and as I said earlier, they set well and the relatively short boom length made them easy to use.
You could also take the cams out easily and sail it as a no cam sail, but they are no hassle to sail with them in as they give a bit more power and rotate easily.

What I was getting at was if your 5.8 is in good condition and you already have the correct mast for it, don't bother buying the 5.7 Severne and chopping down masts etc. Use the money on a 5m or a 6.5 so you have more conditions covered.

KA's website used to have an archive section that went right back to these sails and gave specs and rigging tips etc.

Hope this helps.