Quick question for you guys. I have a quiver of North Sails (Duke and Ice) from 2012, still in good condition, definitely still have a few seasons possibly in them. However, I need to change boards and with the very limited access to second hand kit in New Zealand, I might have to look at 2024/25 boards.
Have sails changed so much in the last 12 years that they will no longer work properly with newer boards? I plan on updating my quiver over the next 12 months but right now a new board is higher on the priority list.

I think, yes of course they've changed, but not to the point of making them unusable.
Get your new board, I'm sure you'll still have fun sailing.

I still have a small 2012 speed sail, I hardly use it, not because it doesn't suit new boards, I just don't sail in such wild conditions anymore. And modern sails have better top wind ability.

i've been using an old 4.7 ice on my dyno and grip 4... zero issues, balances exactly like my newer sails and has same harness line position. It feels more top endy than the newer stuff but not an issue. Really enjoy it

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AI.Dave said..
i've been using an old 4.7 ice on my dyno and grip 4... zero issues, balances exactly like my newer sails and has same harness line position. It feels more top endy than the newer stuff but not an issue. Really enjoy it

Same sails as I'm using, thanks for posting.

Sails haven't changed much if at all over the last 20 years.

My favorite sails are 96 north zeta, over a 1000 sessions each under the UVs and still going.

I prefer the newer generation of wave sails as you can ride a size smaller than you used too... more focus on low end without sacrificing range, and having a more compact rig. that seems to be the main difference. but nothing wrong with old school

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AI.Dave said..
I prefer the newer generation of wave sails as you can ride a size smaller than you used too... more focus on low end without sacrificing range, and having a more compact rig. that seems to be the main difference. but nothing wrong with old school

Do you find a bigger size gap in newer sails? So I have 5.9, 5.3, 4.7, 4.2 but it sounds like newer sails have a wider range??

Yes but mine are all over the place, 5.3/4.7/4.5/4.2 ??

5.3 is the sweet spot for float and ride, I found no advantage having a 5.5 or larger.

In a pinch I could live with the 5.3 and 4.2 but the 4.5 is a handy size for our conditions.

4.7 is disposable, I use it on this rocky point break we sail that has a tricky launch because I don't want to trash my nice sails

Just a quick update, bought a 2024 Tabou 3S+ and have now had a few sessions on it. Performance has been great, the old sails are holding up and the pairing is definitely working until I can afford some new sails later this year.

This was from a fun little session yesterday, nicely powered up with my older 4.2 North Ice (2011 model?!?!?!)...

Nice! Looks like a great setup

Old sails means 90s- 2011 is very modern!

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Manuel7 said..
Old sails means 90s- 2011 is very modern!

I thought the same too.

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Manuel7 said..
Old sails means 90s- 2011 is very modern!

The sailor hasn't aged anywhere as well as the sails and he's looking distinctly worse for wear from 15 years ago.