Neil Pryde for 10.5 VMG

[Rick]

Is there a compatibility problem with Pryde masts and VMG? If I down-haul my sail "flat" the leech looks waaaay loose. Is this the correct setting or my mast is too soft?

[Steve]

Hi Rick:

It would depend on what Neil Pryde mast you have. Some of their masts border on being flex tops. This would make a 10.5 VMG over twist. It would be best to try a friend's mast to see if it is the sail or the mast. If it is 2000 model sail with RLT top this could be the problem. These sails tended to over twist when the rotating head fitting gets worn. We have updated many of these sails to a more conventional head which tightens the leech and improves durability.

Best Regards:
Steve

[Koen B-12]

Hi Rick,

Would be indeed interesting to know the year of your VMG.
But don't get scared by a to loose looking top, try the sail on the water and gently release the downhaul a little.
The older 10.5 VMG's (2001) had a combination of lots of volume under the boom with a well opening top, looked strange at first, but worked great, plenty of power with extra control.

[Rick]

The mast is a RacePro 100% Carbon, 520, Constant Curve,
IMCS 32, Light Tip Technology.

[Rick]

Koen;

I think the sail is a 2000 model. The last year shear tips were used.

So what you are saying is that I am over trimming the sail and that, contrary to popular contemporary settings, I should let more draft into the sail?

Rick

[Steve]

Hi Rick:

This is not an ideal mast for your sail as the tip on that particular mast is pretty soft. It will make the leech looser than would be ideal. For a ligher weight person or for reaching and off the wind speed it will work good. For up wind or marginal planing this mast will diminish performance on this sail.

Steve

[Unregistered]

I had read quite a few posts on other sites regarding that mast and I beleive that the mast was not actualy a constant curve build. A number of other sailors had experienced similar problems with non Pryde sails.

Des,

[Rick]

Actually, the mast is labled "constant curve". There are two other similar sails which show up at our launch. I'll look more carefully at their masts and settings next time I see one.

I have a 2001 7.0 VMG which I rig on a 360 Pryde. No problem with that sail except at maximum downhaul settings where the head of the sail starts to flutter and take the pounding of the bay chop and I should really be re-rigging.

Mr. Gotleib, in Daytona, has offered to assist me with retro-fitting the shear-tip head with a batten. We'll see how much of the problem is arising from the shead tip head when I get the sail back.

Rick