NEIL PRYDE ZEN SAIL

As comfortable in the hands of someone looking to extend their windsurfing skills as it is a beginner, the ZEN, introduced in 2007, is a sail and rig package whose design reflects a focus on ease of use, performance, manoeuvrability and, because all sizes of ZEN are designed to perform on one size of mast and boom, versatility.

So irrespective of whether you are looking to learn new skills, basic tricks and manoeuvres, or if you just getting onto the plane and into the footstraps, ZEN offers all the performance and onward progression you need.

DESIGN OBJECTIVES:

• ZEN is to be a soft, easy handling sail appropriate for recreational use, intermediates learning the fundamentals of windsurfing as well as basic manoeuvres.
• ZEN is to be designed as a manoeuvre oriented free-ride sail.
• All sizes of ZEN are to fit on one size of mast and boom and the sail must be easy to rig and de-rig to optimise time on the water.
• Design emphasis is on low end power, simplicity and durability.
• Each ZEN size should be suited to the conditions that it is most likely to be used in.

For 2009:

• Bring the center of effort closer to rider.
• Reduce sailing weight - the sail needs to feel light in the hands.
• Improve range of use, particularly in the low end.

ACHIEVED BY:

• ZEN has a crossover outline featuring a relatively full, forward oriented profile and shaping to promote early, effortless planing.
• The ZEN has been designed using a NeilPryde 430cm mast and 160cm boom making it the most user friendly sail and rig combination in the range.
• Progressive use of monofilm thickness is used to combine a lightweight upper section with a durable foot area.
• Using only one mast and boom places limits on the sails dimensions but this is overcome through the use of a Condition Specific Aspect Ratio. As the ZEN gets smaller, it becomes more high aspect; as the sails get larger the boom becomes longer and the sail more low aspect. A high aspect sail is more suited to windier conditions and small waves while a low aspect sail is typically suited to lighter airs and low end power giving the ZEN the best characteristics in each wind condition..

For 2009:

• The 2009 ZEN features a compact clew. This allows the designer to reduce the sails head size without increasing the boom length - this is especially relevant to the ZEN because of the need to use the sail on a 160cm boom and 430cm mast. The result is a more compact, manoeuverable sail.
• A reduction in luff curve and downhaul reduces sail body tension, which together with reduced head area reduces the sailing weight. This gives the sail a light feel.
• Introduction of a softer #4 batten (larger sizes only) encourages bottom end power.

Rider Quote:

I love the idea of the Zen. I really don’t like traveling with loads of gear on the airlines nowadays, and to be able to take just one mast and boom with me on holiday would be a real blessing. It was no surprise to me that the middle sizes of the sail were good as they should fit on a 430 naturally but I was surprised that the 4.9 and 7.2 work so well on the 430 too and both feel soft, responsive and a joy to sail.
Robby Swift / K89