I am sailing/comparing 6.5 m2 Severne Gator and NCX at the moment and I have noticed that I can point much higher with the Gator. Is this because of the sail, because of the sail/board-combo, or my windsurfing-skills?

The NCX is a more powerful sail than the gator. Build up more speed before turning upwind, push hard against the fin. The back leg should burn. (You could also be using too small a fin for the NCX)

If you really want upwind ability on any sail, get an adjustable outhaul and crank it flat. Makes a big difference.

Clarence

I think its the same answer as your last thread, sorry.

It is technique (and maybe rigging / setup). You are overthinking the gear. All that gear works so it is not the sails.

sounds like you just have poor technique mark

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Mark _australia said..
I think its the same answer as your last thread, sorry.

It is technique (and maybe rigging / setup). You are overthinking the gear. All that gear works so it is not the sails.

Definitely overthinking. Just get out there and sail, sail, sail. The path to enlightenment is a long one.

Then what should I think about when I am not sailing?

We have all been there, and it never really goes away, you just get better at it.

The answer is a combination of your sailing technique and rigging, the sail design will contribute a little, but not so much that you can easily tell at least where you are in your journey. So put the sail design out of the equation.

How you sail and how you rig will make a big difference, set the down haul to a suitable setting, and leave it, and adjust the outhual for maxim up wind performance, is a good starting point. Consider an adjustable out haul for the NCX, or just stop and adjust it before heading upwind for an extended period.

There are a ton of variables to improving upwind ability. However, speed is number one. The more power/speed you have, the higher you can point. Most sailors when learning to stay upwind have trouble because they are not yet comfortable with the needed speed. And yes, a flatter sail is more efficient for upwind sailing, and less efficient for downwind sailing.

If you are comfortable in the straps, have good planning speed (20+ knots) and can make half your jibes, then it's more an issue of technique to improve upwind ability, not so much the sail.

From what ive seen/owned gator is normally rigged tighter in the leech & is fuller in head (more wave-freeride, less downhaul more outhaul controlled) than an ncx (more slalom, more downhaul controlled), this can help "drag" you upwind especially on heavier boards but isnt necessarily capable of pointing higher dependent on entry & draft of both sails.

Im guessing you find gator you can point earlier than with ncx? If so build up speed with ncx before heading upwind, the ncx will beat gator upwind when it gets towards top end wind range of equivalent sail size. The gator do go upwind pretty well, relatively slow but draft is at a point which gives them reasonable pointing. Ive seen the ncx used well at upwind also but they lose out to cammed sails which have drive from low in sail.