Just wondering will I notice much difference if I replace my old 5m KA wave sail with a new sail? It is about 8 y.o. As I am fairly new to the sport (currently on a JPfsw 101litre), will it be worth the money or will it feel only slightly better than my present one? Should I wait until I can gybe before spending $$ on new sail? Any thoughts?
I have the urge to spend $$$$ Want gear!!!! But is that wise?

If it works just sail it . Most people just like having nice new gear, doesn't make them sail any better though.

Dunno about KA but most brands have only made minor improvements in that time, say a bit more range etc.

Maybe new sails aren't worth the $$$ but good-as-new second hand sails are.

My 8yr old sail is horrible to sail with compared to my new and one season old sails. I think if you can afford to get a modern sail then go for it.

are you comparing apples with apples though ie a 8 yo ka kaos with a new ka kaos?

You'll notice a major difference between a c.2000 Kaos and a new one.

However that difference comes at a cost of what, about $700? You'd achieve the same difference with a 1 y/o Kaos in top condition for say $400.

Hey waggles56,

If you could find some later model KA sails like these in Seabreeze classifieds for the price mentioned and they happen to be in good nic then go for it:

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Sails/~exbz/2008-KA-Sails-Kaos-5-metre.aspx?search=Pw%2f8vS3%2bWxNVWxyFmfof9TIf0vOPuGxm

(unfortunately they're on the other side of the country to you!)

If you're looking at buying KA sails locally, maybe try RPS in Melb.

Probably best sticking with current gear until you advance and more aware of what kind of sailing u want to do, wave, bump n jump, flat water etc.

I reckon get the best gear you can afford at the time. The new gear is lighter, bigger wind range and easier to use. Get a decent light mast too, makes a huge difference in my opinion, havn't got all that weight swinging around and gives better performance/handling from your sail. Also when you get new stuff it's exciting and you just want to be out there sailing it all the time!!

Yer i'm with J.J, newer sails are much better to use, easier to handle, bigger wind range and lighter. And new gear always begs you to use it..

As far as prices, there are always guys selling there gear after 1 season of use, i update my sails every year just to keep current and i tend not to lose as much money as say keeping it for 3 years then forking out the extra cash for the new stuff. Gives guys chasing used gear bargins too.

And if you compare windsurfing to most other extreme style sports, or free sports i call them, it's not expensive at all, e.g wake boarding, $30,000 minimum for a boat, $1,500 for board boots etc, and $200 of fuel everytime it gets in the water which would be alot if you use it as much as i windsurf. Then there is Snow boarding, moto cross etc..

I would rather pay $2,000 a year to windsurf on new gear and it's also alot more fun..

Even racing it's all in the person holding it up, not really about the gear unless you are racing at the top level.

To me the biggest improvements of recent times is rdm masts and wider (easier to use) boards, not in sail design.

That said buying new toys is fun, if you use good gear then increase your ability is down to time on the water not the vintage of gear you are sailing.

I don't think new sails justify their RRP, when you can get fantastic deals on brand new last seasons sails. I just bought an 09 closeout for half the price of a new '10 sail and most 09 sails. Thou to be honest the only reason I upgraded is cause i wanted to get rid of the monofilm sail and get something that was 100% xply.

If your still getting up to gybes then you've a bit of abuse to throw at the sail yet. In your case I'd keep the old one until you go through it (clear sections will get brittler with age). Go hard and be prepared to commit to your new moves and be happy that you can replace the sail once you've killed it.

Personally I've seen little gain in performance (speed or freestyle) with replacing 3yo gear, say. Yes they're more fun, lighter, etc., but do I sail better?

However 8 years is a big diff. Get 1-2yo sails, much cheaper, and the gain will be the same. Also buys you time to decide of next step.

Boards make a bigger diff.

buy severne ka are no good since ben severne left in 2003 other than the racesail

Hi Waggles, I got back into windsurfing and got KA sails in 2001, and am only just replacing some of them due to wear and tear - that's a pretty good life span. I have noticed that some of my newer sails (KA and Aerotech) have better (stronger) construction, have a more stable centre of effort, and a better wind range. However I am also enjoying using a couple of my old KA sails which I've only recently discovered how to rig properly, like my circa 2001 KA Kruze 5.8 - I used to think this sail was pretty ordinary, but have recently discovered the correct amount of downhaul / outhaul to use and it's as good as my modern sails when rigged right. I'd keep using your old sail until you're feeling it's holding your sailing development back, by then you'll be ready for newer gear. Release your urge to spend $$$ on your girlfriend, and when you're ready to buy new gear she won't complain.

I reckon getting compatible gear is the go, a quiver of sails that are all the same make/model is better than one new one and a bunch of old ones... you'll always be reaching for the newy when the conditions just aren't right...

If you cant afford a whole new quiver, buy PC's second-handies... they're only one season old

the more current kaos is certainly different to the older kaos, and i'd say better with the small improvements made every year.

i find all KA sails across all years and models have VERY good stability,

the differences between the newer kaos' and older ones is in the materials and the shape. the aspect ratio is different now and the foot is cut away more.

there are also lots of other little differences like, built in mast protector, tie strap etc.

from about 2007/8 onwards the materials changed which made them feel softer.

other changes have been the coe moving lower amd forward with the head getting flatter, also the sail head and leach break more noticably now.

handling wise for me the biggest difference with the Kaos has been that the newer models 07 onwards can switch the power on and off much more effectively and smoother than the older models.

this translates directly to easier gybing for us bump and jumpers and better wave transitions for the harder core guys.

i haven't really compared upwind performance between the years so much as i am usually on the kaos when it's completely pumping.

hope this helps.

After all this great advice, looks like my $$$ will now be going to the medicos. Knee damage at Hampton Beach last Sunday now means medical bills instead of any sails, new or old.
Recommend good books to buy for my non-sailing , non-surfing camping trip to Torquay these holidays. Maybe some 2011 catalogues!

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Pugwash said...

I reckon getting compatible gear is the go, a quiver of sails that are all the same make/model is better than one new one and a bunch of old ones... you'll always be reaching for the newy when the conditions just aren't right...

If you cant afford a whole new quiver, buy PC's second-handies... they're only one season old

yer thats true, not even a year yet, i'm clearing them out real soon, the new Severne Blade look freakin awesome, big fan of black yeehaa..