Been using hot sails Maui GPX for a while and though write a review. This sail is sold as fast crossover sail so I wasn't sure what to expect exactly. One of the reasons I got attracted to this particular sail over say GP2 or Severne NCX is the durability. Full Xply sail made sense considering occasional catapult and chop in the area I windsurf. I was wondering who the target market for this sail as most people would prefer no cam pure free race sail like NCX over a crossover, specially in bigger sizes.
First time rigging one of the surprises was I could down haul with bare hands and this is the only sail in my quiver I could do so. So easy compered to cammed GPS which is a pain to downhaul like all cammed sails. I got GPX 7.5 and rigger it on hot sails hot rod 460 rdm. Actually this is not the recommended mast but since I already had this for GPS 8m sail why would I buy another. When rigged up sail lacked deeper profile I expected from a cross over sail with cut out clew. Though I could tension the lower battens for more shape.
I paired this sail with Fanatic Falcon 113 and 41cm select slam fin. I was keen to test the chop handling ability of both board and sail with straight slalom fin. Sailing in Melbourne port Phillip bay so far my experience is positive. Used sail from 15 to 20knots range.
Stats and conditions
Rider Weight = 70kg
Board = Fantic Falcon 2012 113L (actual vol 107)
Fin - Select Slam 41cm
Mast - hot rod big wave RDM 460cm
Boom = NP X9 180-230cm
Conditions - confused or moderate choppy
Wind - side on-shore
What I like
- Easy rigging
- Plug and Play sail and great fun
- Easy jybing and tacking
- Smooth power dilivery
- Good in chop
- Light and balanced feeling for 7.5m sail. Actually I didn't feel this to be heavier than my 6.4m North duke.
- good top end for a crossover sail
- looked durable although time will test this
- easy to pump
- value for money compared to Neil Pride Helcat which is over $1000
What I didn't like
- batten screws keep falling off (luckily Johnathon from hot sails Australia immediately send new ones without charge!)
- Lacked bit of bottom end compared to a more pure free race sail like severne NCX or AC1/NP Helcat
- Bit too much pull on backhand although adjusting harness lines and outhaul improves this. This is also a personal preference I guess.
- Sail bag didn't look hardy and lacked a pocket
- Nothing special about the graphics and colour but this is the least priority. Happy morons on jet skis can see me.
Since the manufacturer market this as a crossover sail I shouldn't expect bottom end and upwind like a cammed GPS but sometimes you wish. Sail requires a slightly different riding style than with cammed GPS. Less raked in sail and slightly more gap at the bottom. basically you should let the sail do the work rather than forcing it.
Who should consider this...
This is a good sail for choppy conditions and if you don't like the hassle of cammed sails and need something to get on water as quickly as possible like after work. Cut out clew means a smaller boom. If you mostly sailing in flat water try a pure free race sail first or if you have time and money to play around with cammed sails that give more bottom and upwind. However at lower sizes GPX could be better suitable than a NCX since its more durable and fun.
Verdict
Would I replace my GPS with this sail? Probably not but this is such an easy sail and heaps of fun to ride so I'm happy with my purchase.
First time rigging one of the surprises was I could down haul with bare hands and this is the only sail in my quiver I could do so. So easy compered to cammed GPS which is a pain to downhaul like all cammed sails. I got GPX 7.5 and rigger it on hot sails hot rod 460 rdm. Actually this is not the recommended mast but since I already had this for GPS 8m sail why would I buy another. When rigged up sail lacked deeper profile I expected from a cross over sail with cut out clew. Though I could tension the lower battens for more shape.
I paired this sail with Fanatic Falcon 113 and 41cm select slam fin. I was keen to test the chop handling ability of both board and sail with straight slalom fin. Sailing in Melbourne port Phillip bay so far my experience is positive. Used sail from 15 to 20knots range.
Stats and conditions
Rider Weight = 70kg
Board = Fantic Falcon 2012 113L (actual vol 107)
Fin - Select Slam 41cm
Mast - hot rod big wave RDM 460cm
Boom = NP X9 180-230cm
Conditions - confused or moderate choppy
Wind - side on-shore
What I like
- Easy rigging
- Plug and Play sail and great fun
- Easy jybing and tacking
- Smooth power dilivery
- Good in chop
- Light and balanced feeling for 7.5m sail. Actually I didn't feel this to be heavier than my 6.4m North duke.
- good top end for a crossover sail
- looked durable although time will test this
- easy to pump
- value for money compared to Neil Pride Helcat which is over $1000
What I didn't like
- batten screws keep falling off (luckily Johnathon from hot sails Australia immediately send new ones without charge!)
- Lacked bit of bottom end compared to a more pure free race sail like severne NCX or AC1/NP Helcat
- Bit too much pull on backhand although adjusting harness lines and outhaul improves this. This is also a personal preference I guess.
- Sail bag didn't look hardy and lacked a pocket
- Nothing special about the graphics and colour but this is the least priority. Happy morons on jet skis can see me.
Since the manufacturer market this as a crossover sail I shouldn't expect bottom end and upwind like a cammed GPS but sometimes you wish. Sail requires a slightly different riding style than with cammed GPS. Less raked in sail and slightly more gap at the bottom. basically you should let the sail do the work rather than forcing it.
Who should consider this...
This is a good sail for choppy conditions and if you don't like the hassle of cammed sails and need something to get on water as quickly as possible like after work. Cut out clew means a smaller boom. If you mostly sailing in flat water try a pure free race sail first or if you have time and money to play around with cammed sails that give more bottom and upwind. However at lower sizes GPX could be better suitable than a NCX since its more durable and fun.
Verdict
Would I replace my GPS with this sail? Probably not but this is such an easy sail and heaps of fun to ride so I'm happy with my purchase.
