Camber vs Non-Cambered Size : Power Ratio

[agrelon]

I'm thinking of buying a North F8 RAM 5.8m (3-4 Cambers) to replace my 6.0 (camberless) HSM Stealth (2004).

I was wondering if the camber induction in the 5.8 will create enough power to be similar to my non-cambered 6.0m? Also, will cambered sails have a more locked in feel once planing?

Thanks,

[Farlo]

Hi Agrelon, the RAM F8 is an excellent sail, quite fast and smooth to ride, but not very powerful. It might be no problem at your weight but you will certainly feel a difference. IMHO 6.8~7 m² (boom longer than 2 m) is the point where cambers start bringing a real advantage: increased stability and lower drag which are less critical in smaller sizes, unless you are competing/heading for speed records (or just like the different feel).

[agrelon]

Ok, thanks for the imput. Well I'm looking into this sail mainly because it's at a great price and in the size I want.

I think for me having cambers at 5.8m is a good option as this is going to be one of my faster sizes (In stronger winds the water is too choppy to really go fast). I do like to use a GPS to try and go fast and I have a 5.3 wave sail for when the wind is stronger....

So do you think that the cambers/race style (longer boom) make up for the 0.2m lost?

Thanks.

[Farlo]

Well I don't know the HSM Stealth but generally the camber/race style matter more than 0.2 sqm, and not necessarily the way you think. Although not a pure race sail, the RAM F8 is close in behaviour. Strong point is not low end power but rather speed, high end control and stability. It is also quite comfortable and easy handling in its category. This makes it a good option given your weight, but I bet one (maybe two) size(s) above would be even better. You may discover than 5.8 is very close to your wave 5.3 in wind range. If I remember well, the subsequent RAM F9/F10 have been boosted for more low end power.

[mim]

Hi,

not exactly on North, but a Severne overdrive also a 3 cam sail...I usually calculate you need 15% more sail area to gain the performance of a non-cambered sail...that would mean to have the same feeling as on your 6m noncam you need a 7m 3 cam sail...this wouldbe even bigger if you go on pure slalom sail...I would almost compare my codered (4 cams wide sleeve) in 6.1 to a wavesail S-1 (which is not that powerful) in 4.3.

Big difference, but the speed and the stability is worth it.

have fun,
ciao michal.

[agrelon]

Originally Posted by mim

Hi,

not exactly on North, but a Severne overdrive also a 3 cam sail...I usually calculate you need 15% more sail area to gain the performance of a non-cambered sail...that would mean to have the same feeling as on your 6m noncam you need a 7m 3 cam sail...this wouldbe even bigger if you go on pure slalom sail...I would almost compare my codered (4 cams wide sleeve) in 6.1 to a wavesail S-1 (which is not that powerful) in 4.3.

Big difference, but the speed and the stability is worth it.

have fun,
ciao michal.

I tried it out today and I felt the contrary. This sail, despite the low wind, had a lot of low end power and during the one good gust accelerated super quick to fantastic speed. Definitely more difficult to tack, and impossible to do a light wind jibe on (106l just sink when rotating the sail), but was fine during the one carve jibe I did. I think it will be great for straight line blasting.

[Farlo]

So far, so good. "General" statements are not always valid for extremely light or extremely heavy sailors. However 106 L sinking under your weight plus such a small sail sounds a bit strange. But I'm sure you will fix that one way or the other. Have fun.