NEIL PRYDE EXCESS SAIL

It’s unusual for windsurfing locations to deliver the same, consistent conditions every time - your local sailing spot is as likely to be different from one day to the next, as is the riders’ desire to attempt different windsurfing disciplines each time they go sailing.

So, whether it’s flatwater blasting, jumps, basic freestyle or even riding small surf, the EXCESS - being the most versatile crossover sail in the collection - is perfectly suited to meet your needs, and match the conditions.

DESIGN OBJECTIVES:

• Develop a powerful, fast, easy handling and manoeuvrable free-ride sail.
• The sail must be suited to flatwater blasting, jumping and basic freestyle moves.
• The EXCESS should have a wide wind range, good low-end characteristics, speed and acceleration.
• Given the EXCESS’s versatility, it must be suitable for use in small surf, and be built strong enough to handle regular jumping - and crashes.
• To optimise time on the water, the sail must be easy to rig and de-rig.

For 2009:

• Reduce boom length for improved manoeuvrability.
• Enhance manoeuvrability while maintaining the early planing ability of the sail.
• Reduce sailing weight, especially during manoeuvres.

ACHIEVED BY:

• The outline and shaping reflect the design objective of versatility; a stable, forward oriented profile provides power with control while a relatively open head spills excessive power.
• A slight increase in the foot area (relative to wave and pure freestyle sails) enhances low-end power and helps stability. This makes the EXCESS the fastest of the 5 battened crossover sails - without compromising manoeuvrability.
• A full X-Ply body gives the EXCESS superb durability in addition to a soft, forgiving on the water sailing ’feel’ that is unique to 100% X-ply sails.

For 2009:

• The 2009 EXCESS features a compact clew. This allowed the designer to shorten the boom length without increasing the aspect ratio. This resulted in a more manoeuvrable sail where, especially in transitions the shorter boom helps.
• A reduction in luff curve and downhaul reduces body tension, which in turn reduces the sailing weight and results in a softer ’feel’ in the sail.
• Load specific reinforcement ensures strength in the most critical load areas while keeping the weight at minimum.