North 'S' Type sails - any good?
 

Hi.
After much thought (and advice given through this forum - so thanks for all the help) I've gone and bought myself a Futura 133. I'm now looking for a suitable big, lighter wind sail - don't want to go higher than an 8.5m - and was wondering if North S Types were well received? The reason I ask is that you can use the 8.4m version with a mast extender so I wouldn't need to change my existing 460 mast, plus the boom required isn't that long so I can use my old boom as well saving more money! I know it has 3 cams (the top one being removable) and as it's a North, it'll probably be built very well. However I don't want something that needs loads of wind (like a lot of race sails - stable in a blow but lacking power when less windy). I'm keen to hear what others may think. Thanks.

Hi Lakkabay,
From what i've heard, the Stype's good for slalom and freeride. The stype I saw had the cams starting on the second batten which I certainly don't like as I like the sail to be 'baggy'on the bottom. For formula they are OK and If you are looking for light wind the 8.5 is good. Do they have an 8.5? I think they don't have that number.

Good luck searching for your sail,
Sebastian PER-7

They have 8,4, I got it.
Great sail, plently of power, excellent in Low/mid range but a bit unstable in the high wind range.

Lakkabay

I'm sure Stype will perform well for what you want (none of the twin cams need loads of wind, and they all have great low end power), but I'll comment on something else.

I haven't used that combo, but on North Daytonas that I use, I didn't like performance of that Carbon xTender. At all. Try your sail with the xtender, and then with a proper longer mast, borrow one if possible. In my case there was a world of difference, maybe they work better now.

Stemeyer - do you use it with a mast extender on a 460 mast or do you have a 490 mast? Screamer has reservations re the extender.

I use it with the Xtender but have no experience with the sail with the 490 mast so I could not tell the difference.
By the way the first recommended setup is 460 + EXT instead of 490, check north website

Will do, thanks.

S type 6,6
 

Well I just bought a Stype 6,6, first time on Norths, I have NP and Gaastra GTX. The ideal mast is 430 but I rigged a 460 X6 NP mast. Just loves the sail, lots of power and planning, acceleration very good and very comfortable. Haven't tried in high winds yet, so I cannot comment the performance in top speed but its not a "race sail", so I liked the feeling and comfort. The wind was 14- 18 knots and my board 2007 Isonic 111, my weight 82 kg.

Hi lopss,

I bought a stype 6.6 2009 too. I will buy a isonic 101 or 111. I would prefer the isonic 101 for windy days. My weight today 83 kg. Till summer 78 kg. Do you sink with the isonic 111? I have no possibility to try out. Is it a great difference between the is101 and is111?

Hi, I never sailed the Isonic 101, I agree with you that the 101 is better for high winds, I use the 111 with 7,5 and 6,6, in high winds I use an custom Styrothec from N Zealand 90 litres with 6,0 and 5,2. You should post that question to K Pritchard forum, he is THE guy or in the Ask our team forum. Good sailing.