Hi Guys. This is a bit of a newby question it I had a quick search and couldn't see it being addressed here...

I'm coming back to windsurfing after a 30 year break and am accumulating some second hand gear. I've got a 5.2 and 6.2 Neil Pryde Sabre and a 5.5 NP Fusion. I understand that it would be advisable to get a NP mast because of the progressive flex profile but am unsure whether it would matter whether I go for RDM or SDM.

Any help would be appreciated.

Those are flatwater sails, so SDM.
But, they will rig on rdm, flatter, draft back, longer boom, longer luff, looser sleeve.

And don't try to achieve max downhaul, keep leech a bit tighter than with SDM.

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LeeD said..
Those are flatwater sails, so SDM.
But, they will rig on rdm, flatter, draft back, longer boom, longer luff, looser sleeve.

Hi LeeD. Flatter I get but "draft back"... Like the "fullness" of the sail is further back? Wouldn't that make it harder to control?

Would the looser sleeve provoke increased wear round the batter ends?

Are you looking for perfect performance? Buy new sails, masts, booms, and bases.
Are you looking to get out in the water and windsurf? Use what you got, it will work better than you.

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returnity said..

LeeD said..
Those are flatwater sails, so SDM.
But, they will rig on rdm, flatter, draft back, longer boom, longer luff, looser sleeve.

Hi LeeD. Flatter I get but "draft back"... Like the "fullness" of the sail is further back? Wouldn't that make it harder to control?

Would the looser sleeve provoke increased wear round the batter ends?

If its the same brand RDM and SDM from similar vintage, those differences exist but are tiny

Thank you, Mark.
The sails are closer to 20 years old, than 30.
But NP hadn't cleared RDM use for another few years, but surfsailors were using RDM on the 3 wave sails as early as late 90's. Worked.
I k ow I used skinny on Mpr even, after cam removal.

Thanks Guys. Your responses have been really helpful. I'll go with the RDM.

The good thing about RDM is that it is future-proof. Then, when you get new sails later, you will have a mast for them.

Also, RDM is much more durable than SDM.