Hot Sails Maui - Introducing the GPS13

Overview

The GPS 2013 is a maximum performance sail for slalom, course racing and speed. Amazing stability allows the rider to handle more power, which is easily controlled and converted into forward drive. We listened to our worldwide racing team and hence the 2013 version has seen major updates with new materials, carbon battens, new profile shaping, higher cut foot & the addition of a fourth camber, the result is a race sail that is 20% lighter, faster, more stable and easier to handle than ever before. Winning races just got a whole lot easier! The GPS 2013 incorporates our 3D shaping technique and High Performance Airfoil Camber (HPAC) which together improve airflow across sail and promote dynamic twist. Slalom racing is more than just straight line speed and it was important to optimize the sail to improve the performance around a course, hence we softened the rotation and reduced the area under the boom with a shorter and re-shaped foot. The GPS is registered and ready for the 2013 PWA season and will excel in the hands of expert riders. Optimized for use with our new 100% Carbon ULTRA masts the GPS is a no compromise racing machine which will enable you to win races on any set course.

Sail Features

* 8 battens

* 4 Carbon battens - NEW for 2013

* 5 mini battens

* Super light C1295 laminate - NEW for 2013

* ODL09 Technora patches - NEW for 2013

* 898 High Modulus Adhesive Film (898HMAF)

* Symmetrical Batten System (SBS)

* Double Taper Battens (DTB)

* High Performance Airfoil Camber (HPAC)

* Compact 3D shaping

* Lightweight luff - NEW for 2013

Which battens are carbon ones?
Marko

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CRO169 said...
Which battens are carbon ones?
Marko

My guess is the bottom four but I will find out.

Specifications

GPS Luff Boom Mast Weight (KG) Weight (lbs)
5.0 408 162 400 4.6 10.1
5.2 414 172 400 4.8 10.6
5.5 424 178 400 4.9 10.8
5.8 423 179 400 5.0 11.0
6.0 444 178 430 5.1 11.2
6.6 464 188 430 5.3 11.6
7.3 481 202 460 5.6 12.3
8.0 490 221 460 5.8 12.8
8.8 510 232 490 6.1 13.4
9.9 521 238 490 6.4 14.1

Also proven to go over 50knots by Martyn Ogier at Luderitz.
I took delivery of his set of sails but there was no wind to try them before he picked them up, in the bag they are certainly lighter than the 2012 sails. Looking forward to getting mine early next year.

The light blue and the white luff make them stand out even more on the water. They also still have the webOx luff which does stop any damage from a broken mast, I speak from experience!

Did you manage to break the RDM specified for the sail?

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azymuth said...
Did you manage to break the RDM specified for the sail?

Unfortunately yes, not quite sure how. I went through a 3 or 4 session phase of catapulting at 33knots with my 7.3, was getting pulled over the front as my harness lines were too far back. I suspect that had something to do with it, broke at the ferrule. Replaced without problem

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CRO169 said...
Which battens are carbon ones?
Marko

I was wrong it is the top four battens that are now carbon

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legless said...

CRO169 said...
Which battens are carbon ones?
Marko

I was wrong it is the top four battens that are now carbon

why do the top four battens need to be carbon?

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AUS4 said...

legless said...

CRO169 said...
Which battens are carbon ones?
Marko

I was wrong it is the top four battens that are now carbon

why do the top four battens need to be carbon?

To reduce weight...I guess having a lighter top half of the sail gives a lighter overall feeling to the sail. Also i guess the bottom 4 battens are the ones with cams the top four do not have cams.

There are 2 main reasons for using carbon battens. They are stiffer compared to glass of the same diam and wall thickness, so will aid in preventing draft movement.
You can go smaller diam or thinner wall to acheive the same stiffness and reduce weight.
So depending what the designer is trying to acheive he /her will use glass or 30%, 60%, 100% carbon tubes of different diam or wall thicknesses in different areas of the sail.
On KaRace for example we use reduced diam 100% carbon in the top 2 battens where there is little shape to reduce weight in the head. They are stiff and extremely light.
We then use various % carbon large diam tubes on the cam battens to improve draft stability.
Just throwing carbon tubes to fix a draft stabilIty issue is not neccessarily the answer though, many other factors to consider. They are just one tool and they are very expensive.

Just a question about sail weight reduction on speed rigs, Isn't weight a good thing ?. If a sailor is using a waist belt to hold down more force on the sail. If say the sail was made 1kg lighter, wouldn't the sailor then have to add 1kg to his waist belt to counteract the weight reduction on the sail ?

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jn1 said...
Just a question about sail weight reduction on speed rigs, Isn't weight a good thing ?. If a sailor is using a waist belt to hold down more force on the sail. If say the sail was made 1kg lighter, wouldn't the sailor then have to add 1kg to his waist belt to counteract the weight reduction on the sail ?

The weight carried by the sailor counter balances against the sail so reducing the weight of the sail will not increase the weight a sailor needs to carry. Reducing the weight I believe is about making the sail more comfortable to sail with as there is less weight to deal with

Cant wait to get on the new sails ,looks awesome if any better than the ones i have , that will be awesome all my crew are so happy with there 2012 sails