Anyone got any experience with the new xo sails, ideally the shark? Finding wave sails increasingly hard to get in nz without pre-order and/or paying big dollars. Can get the sharks at a good price.

www.exocet-original.com/shark-v7-c2x36221947

Cheers

A mate had the 2014- model and was happy with it. That said he upgraded to NP after a season, so go figure.
NZ pricing seems quite good value, but probably more important that you get the right bend curve mast(s), otherwise the cheaper sail wont perform and be a false economy.
My prior experience with XO masts was that the rdms were good, but the sdms were not that accurately made - maybe i just got a dud.
sails are spendy for sure, but ive not regretted a quiver shift to severne from north, SV sails/masts/enigma booms/cyclops extensions are reliable and quality gear imho. NZ Boardstore are also a quality team who stand by the gear they range

Thanks for the feedback. I've actually ended up getting 3 of the sharks (3.7, 4.2 and 4.7). They are 50% cheaper than severne So I am willing to test them out.
First impression rolling it out inside (it's winter in the south of nz) is it is a very well built sail, comparable to anything i have owned or used before. Excited to see how it sails when things warm up and the wind returns.

Looks like the French Windmag have just put their test writeups online for all to see. Last time I looked they werent there.

www.windmag.com/voiles-2022-xo-sails-shark
They test a 5.7m, not your sizes, but gives an impression.
RAS is an acronym for rien a signaler - nothing to report. Good to have that in the negatives in the summary.

I think they are made at the same loft as Simmer. Older XO sails were well made, but lacked the performance, so a friend sail who had one told me. I think they have put in a big effort in the last couple of years, with some collaboration with Simmer.
The XO masts are on the flexitop side of constant curve, like the Simmer masts.
I would be interested in your impressions, the Shark would be a sail I would go for, if I couldnt afford/get hold of Ezzy sails. They would probably be a decent fit on my Ezzy masts.

www.windmag.com/voiles-2022-xo-sails-vega
www.windmag.com/voiles-2022-xo-sails-quad
www.windmag.com/voiles-2022-xo-sails-fly-v2

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Qtwind said..
(it's winter in the south of nz)

I guess from your userid you are from Queenstown. I had some good sessions when I was there, and at Wanaka & Lake Hawea.

This is from the south of Queenstown, near the devils staircase. The southerly wind funnelled through, there was little wind in Queentown itself.




From near Haast. I didnt sail there as the shorebreak was massive. There was a tree stump buried in the sand. To me it looks like a bear with a rifle.

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PhilUK said..

Qtwind said..
(it's winter in the south of nz)

I guess from your userid you are from Queenstown. I had some good sessions when I was there, and at Wanaka & Lake Hawea.

This is from the south of Queenstown, near the devils staircase. The southerly wind funnelled through, there was little wind in Queentown itself.




From near Haast. I didnt sail there as the shorebreak was massive. There was a tree stump buried in the sand. To me it looks like a bear with a rifle.

Yep Queenstown. Sail a lot only 10 minutes from Queenstown, in that same south arm you took the picture from. Great thermals in summer and regularly on 5 down to 3.7. Also get some nice north and north westerlys further up the north of lake. Awesome conditions but mostly hidden from the public eye, and the local wind patterns take a bit to learn.

Not been on the west coast but there is a good crew down in the deep south.

Here is the sail in the flesh.

Looks good, be interested to hear how it goes.

Finally got one of the new sails out on the water. Took out the 4.7 and found it light in the hands (using 80% Xo mast) with a nice 'springy' feel. Power comes on smoothly and gently and it feels great in transition. Couple of pics, my freestyle is a but rusty after a long winter.

Only downside is the big black Xo sticker seems to rub off very easily, but everything else looks to be good quality. Plus some nice features like the luff foot peeling back (velcro) for easy rigging

So far I am impressed and can't wait to try out the smaller sizes