Rapid Fire 7.5 2004

[John I]

Just sailed all day on this puppy yesterday in 18-26 mph. Sometimes it was 22-26. This sail handles it no problem. Yes it was a stretch doing so, but it was fun to see if I could get blown off it. I would have rather been on a 6.0 or 6.5 Rapid Fire instead. But circumstances did not allow that.

Used a GPS and read up to 35-37 mph consistantly with one sesh up at 39.1. This sail is fast. Needless to say, I like it.

[Chuck]

Why have sails gotten so rangy to the plus side? Years ago, weren't people getting killed by 7.5's when the wind started getting near those stregths?

[Steve]

Large sails have changed a lot in recent years. I remember the first time I saw someone put a 7.5 on a short board it looked silly. Now you would not see even a recreational sailor put a sail that small on a formula board unless it blew over 20. The larger sails have changed so much for many reasons. The first is because big masts and booms have improved drastically in the last few years. The luff curves and seam shaping have been refined as well. With the advent of negative seam shaping and looser leeches the range of these sails have been pushed upward. Ten years ago it would have been hard to get a 7.5 to go 25mph and now we here reports of even non race sails going close to 40. The wider boards allow for a stable platform and the use of bigger fins which complement these sails as well.

Best Regards
Steve

[Sailboards]

sorry i just had to get the 300th post

[Marse]

no problem, Sailboards...

(ya gotta love this much enthusiasm!)

[DBL]

Are there any major changes between the 2004 version and the 2003 Saber? I have the 2003 in 7.5 and 9.0 and they are great sails. The range keeps going up and I rarely get a chance to use the 7.5, just crank down on the 9.0!

[Steve]

For 2004 the Saber name changed to Rapid Fire. The sail has undergone a few changes as well. The 2004 model has more Pentex in the upper panels as well as new graphics. The entry below the boom was made a little finer and there was a slight increase in shape in the lower panels. The finer entry allows for a softer rotation. There was also the addition of an 11.0 size.

Steve

[Bigdog]

I had the chance to sail the same Rapid Fire 7.5 the next day in winds more in the 13-20 mph range. My current sail quiver is comprised of Neil Pryde or Gaastra sails and I must say this Aerotech was as smooth and solid as my 7.5 Gaastra GTX. It had no trouble getting my 205 pounds on plan and staying there in the lulls while easily handling the gusts. I really liked the four-pulley downhaul hardware for easy tuning. The Epic carbon boom rigged on the sail was simply great and I would trade my Fiberspar booms tomorrow for Epic booms if I could, if for easy of length adjustment if nothing else.

[John I]

Thanks for your inputs, Big Dog. Looks like wind Sat. Even down there in SFL. Hope you can bust loose and get some. Nice meeting you on the beach.