Comrades
I have been using the Combat and Search wave sails by Pryde for a good number of years.
The Combat is very strong and take much big wipeout due to its cross ply construction...reasonably powerful sail for me (90 kg weight)

I like the Search very much for big power and early planning potential.. but I not like him for use in mid wind range and wave sailing.
The Search, he tend to pull rig forward when bottom turning or gybing. There was also no let up from power... he just snap back to FULL ON as soon as sail was flipped or bottom turn was initiated. This I like very much for light wind but is big problem for down the line wave ridding.

I test new ALPHA (Search replacement)
I very dubious at start but must say this is the best wave sail I have used for long time.
It generates plenty of power for the bigger sailor but instead of snapping back to full power after a gybe or when bottom turning the power builds smoothly... back hand pressure allow you to control how much power you want.

In bottom turn and wave ridding this ALPHA, he go very neutral... but as soon as you want power back (like when going off the top) just a little bit of back hand and you can snap round knowing the sail is ready to power up if required.

I also have no problem with scrapes on shins... this is new sail so maybe the potatoe peeler was only required on the first 200 out of factory.

For the bigger sailor I would stongly recommend trying this sail... and when the wind picks up just be cranking of the downhaul a little more and it still work very well.
I sail him last Friday at Coros (5.4m) when most others were on 4.7
He very comfortable in waves and air.

I change for 4.7 after lunch when wind went past 30 knots !

Kremlin


PS - To Gero Mick, I still having flashbacks to that stalled forward you pulled over the top of my push loop at Coros... very close call for sure but very funny indeed yar

I quite liked the Search, even though I'm not a heavy weight. Bit of extra downhaul for stronger winds always seemed to keep it under control.
Not commenting on you specifically Kremlin but more in general, shouldn't your technique be able to dictate how much you can de-power the sail during the bottom turn (assuming you have rigged a sail size suitable for the wind strength)? That's my view of any sail, as long as the sail isn't a piece of sh!t.


haven't tried the Alpha but it looks nice.

p.s Gero Mick's forwards must have been pretty f***ing high if he was above you during your pushloop!

Very very very high was his forward indeed !
I not tip mast on way through on pushie so was pretty high... when I come out of rotation he was still way above me... if only I could print the snap shot from my minds eye.. .this would be magazine spread for certain yar !

As for technique in de-powering sail during bottom turn or gybe... to a degree I agree with your for certain yar... but when it gets windy or is very down the line there is simply no way of de-powering or controlling an over powered Search... this is not an issue with the Alpha.
All the power you ever wanted to get going through the break and light stuff but allows max control during gybe and bottom turn.

If you no familiar with full on down the line bottom turn maybe think of how sail feel when you go for gybe when super powered up... doers the sail snap straight back onto full power after sail flip ?
Search does this for sure yar (I have had search every year since 2000) they great sail and I lurved them long time for certain... that was until i try new Alpha !
You must be of trying this sail... very light in hands but plenty power for big guys... on waves it go very neutral (almost like zone) until you want power back and then you just adjust back hand accordingly. Thjis is best wave sail i ever use for certain yar

I was very worry much when I learn they change Search for Alpha.. I love Search... now I love Alpha big time more so for certain yar.
This is best, you must try for sure
Kremlin

That syncronised pushie and forward routine should be in the Guinness Book of records, not just a magazine. Haven't even heard of PWA sailors doing anything like that. You should apply for a wildcard to Pozo next year.

We may just have to agree to disagree on the depowering of the Search. Fairly familar with down the line sailing, but no such problems. Different story however when its too windy for any sail. Nothing can be done then.

Will try the Alpha though. Sounds like a winner.

Truth be told not synchronised... more like super big crazy ballistic maddness.
I look upwind before hitting ramp... ok no one there I go for pushie as wave is perfect position and speed is at maximum (reason I see no one there is Mick is already mast high and climbing)
I hit ramp, launch into pushie and as i come out at top of rotation I see bottom of his board still above me !
He see that he may land on me so launches into stalled forward to jump further. Very big gutsy move considering his height and what is happening below.
The whole time this happening I going crazy with excitement and some fear for sure yar,
The Alpha he very controlable in my hands and has many options for me should things go from pear shape to pointy.
I have big laugh after landing and seeing that everyone is ok, then Mick he stop laughing when feel his board is snapped.
He has spare and we have beer when finished sailing so no problem, all good for sure yar

pffft, thats nothing.

Once I did a massive, massive, massive, massive forward over the top of a guy doing a massive, massive, massive backloop (one less "massive" meant he didn't go as high as me), and on the way down we swapped gear. So I landed his backie, and he landed my forward. He didn't plane away from it but he blamed my initial takeoff for that.

So anyway, I'll wipe my arse on your magazine spread while reading my own!

Kremlin may have indulged in one too many vodkas I think

Phuck man, I was there when Kremlin and Gero Mick were doing there thing, it was awesome. I was above both of them on my wally doing a clew first shoveit. It was Siiiiick

kremlin is making me laugh uncontrollably!!!

...and the new alphas are spesh!

Comrade UrHardCore
You are big crazy for sure yar, and very much at the core of this hardness you speak of... I not see this clew first shovet you did while on your wally (which hand you use for holding of the wally ?)but it was windy enough for it for certain yar !
Even though my eyes (he like roger rabbit the size of saucers) were stuck out on stalks I not see your move... only heavenly rotation of surf to sky, horizon and then water before spotting landing and then seeing bottom of Mick's board above me.
Comrade Exoman, I no drink vodka no more, salted fish supply is gone and I try be like Aussie and drinking of the beer... I even watching of this game called cricket and liking of him very much for sure yar.
Comrade Boris, you sound like Russian or maybe East European so I give you kindly Balltic wording of the advice. Please be removing of the staples before using magazine spread for the wipe... this very dangerous with staples in place for sure.

I use my ALPHA again day b4 yesterday... in light cross off conditions at home spot of animal bay. The sail in 5.4m size has enough power for me to get planning on 79 litre wave board in 15 - 18 knots.
This is most versatile wave sail I use ever... when surf get big I will test for durability. This is not due to me being hardcore like Comrade UrHardcore but because I am kook and have many wipe out under big lip.
I put the ALPHA to test on full heavy duty wash cycle for certain yar but I not expecting to be disappointed.
This is best sail for sure

comrade,

curious to know what kind of pole u r using in that alpha?


also cut my toes to ribbons on a reef the other day, you'll be pleased to hear i invested in some aquaear, so far so good......