The 2016 Mauisails Team Race 16 have just landed.
In its 12th year of development, continuation of controlled speed and progression, the TR16 shows the same high quality standards and optimized approach, only what is needed is implemented:
- Rigging spec and downhaul tension diagram
- Batten tension stitching protection
- Head cap protection
- Mauisails custom clew fitting
- 2 zippers only (access to middle 2 cambers through boom opening)
Now in its 3rd year developed on constant curve masts, some of the refinement to better match the luff curves are:
- Increased and more forward oriented lower body shaping for additional stability
- New tubular bottom batten to lock the profile forward
- Improved connection of top 3 battens to the head for easier rotation and more even shaping
Lets hope for some breeze in the next couple of days to test on the water.
Thanks for the pics. I might be a bit slow, but the diagram of the definition of DH on thesail makes a lot of sense (now).
DH= Luff- Mast Length (for neutral DH). I've been looking at it the wrong way measuring from pulley to mast foot (guessing really).
So taking the maths one step further for the above sail. Extension at (say) 20cm, mast=460.
Neutral downhaul is when the bottom of pulley is aligned with 6cm on extension.
( 460+20-474=6 ) Bingo. I am enlightened. Thanks.
Select to expand quoteAUS4 said..
Were are the nice Maui graphics ??
They peel off with speed while you gybe 
:
gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2015-11-26&team=9
in this pic the pocket looks so pronounced, i am afraid for the lower battens
and now MauiSails has decided to go for the indented outhaul - where the batten over the boom sticks way out
am even more afraid for that batten
sail still has more monofilm than many other sail brands
and MauiSails have gone over to constant curve - after MANY years as hard top
don't get me wrong - i am a BIG fan of MS and have their logo on my van
the other disappointment I had this year with them was when Phil let Barry , Art and Micah go
at first thought perhaps Barry was retiring and Art would work with MS part time
but no, S2Maui sails is due to be released in 2016
so, for me , even as a big fan - too many changes from what i am used to - as a MauiSails user
as usual - time will tell - hope it all works out for everyone: MauiSails, Phil, Barry, Art, Micah and us - the customers
If they switched to CC masts now I might consider them in the future when its time to replace the brand I'm using now. They look great, better than in the photos. One thing that put me off was to buy another set of masts...
yes, my "newest" TR is a TR-6 8.4 and i love it
as such I am behind in terms of the masts , cutouts, etc
the constant curve/CC mast will bring people to MauiSails - like powersloshin
but also make people look at Severne , GA, if they already have hard top masts
I have used the TR8,TR9 and TXi. Far from convinced new model sails of any brand are any faster. Not even a tenth of a single knot faster. Its all in the mind.
The colours of the TR8 look the best.
Select to expand quotepetermac33 said..
Its all in the mind.
just kidding - -they are fast and well known ...
Looking at the sizes / dimensions of the TR's and the other sails in Maui Sails range, it doesn't appear that any changes have been made from 2015 to 2016 besides materials and battens. What's the future?
Select to expand quotepowersloshin said..
If they switched to CC masts now I might consider them in the future when its time to replace the brand I'm using now. They look great, better than in the photos. One thing that put me off was to buy another set of masts...
The switch was made when the TRX came out, so the TR16 are the 3rd generation of TR sails designed around CC masts.Select to expand quotefibersnap said..
Looking at the sizes / dimensions of the TR's and the other sails in Maui Sails range, it doesn't appear that any changes have been made from 2015 to 2016 besides materials and battens. What's the future?
There is a little more to a sail design than just outline specs (boom and luff length), skin tension, seam shaping, batten layout, batten flex, cambers, luff pocket tension, materials etc..
This being said, if you replace your sails every couple of years or at longer intervals this pretty much guaranties you to be able to use the same mast/boom for the same sizes sail.
Select to expand quoteMort67 said..
Thanks for the pics. I might be a bit slow, but the diagram of the definition of DH on thesail makes a lot of sense (now).
DH= Luff- Mast Length (for neutral DH). I've been looking at it the wrong way measuring from pulley to mast foot (guessing really).
So taking the maths one step further for the above sail. Extension at (say) 20cm, mast=460.
Neutral downhaul is when the bottom of pulley is aligned with 6cm on extension.
( 460+20-474=6 ) Bingo. I am enlightened. Thanks.
DH14 means from the bottom of the mast to the bottom of the pulley = 14cm
460 mast + 14 = 474cm
Terry let me borrow his 6.6m TRX for a few runs and it felt awesome. So controllable and fast.
Funny cause I sold a 6.3 TRX a few months back. I used it a few times and the Technora material that covers 40 percent or so of the sail felt weird.
Now I'm starting to like the different feel it gives.
Used my 7m NP other day and the low cut foot was dragging in the water despite having 4cm more extension than the specs.
I needed around 7-8 cm above spec but then the sail at the mast base is too high.
Maui race sails are cut higher at the foot than any of the other brands I've tried.
For me this is the main reason I prefer Maui race sails.
Select to expand quotepetermac33 said..
Terry let me borrow his 6.6m TRX for a few runs and it felt awesome. So controllable and fast.
Funny cause I sold a 6.3 TRX a few months back. I used it a few times and the Technora material that covers 40 percent or so of the sail felt weird.
Now I'm starting to like the different feel it gives.
Used my 7m NP other day and the low cut foot was dragging in the water despite having 4cm more extension than the specs.
I needed around 7-8 cm above spec but then the sail at the mast base is too high.
Maui race sails are cut higher at the foot than any of the other brands I've tried.
For me this is the main reason I prefer Maui race sails.
Maybe you wasn't powered up enough to stay upright...
...maybe you rigged the sail too flat and with no tack strap tension...
maybe the fin was too little for the sail...
....maybe the mast was too soft....
Less down haul should also solve the issue, the mast track to back could be another option
I love my TR 11 sails they smoke.
I would think that small refinement is all that is needed to continue improvement when the sail is already that good.
So I can only imagine how good the new sails will be.
The TRX 8.4m that I recently bought-- the rotation is not comparable to the other Maui sails I have that rotate a treat.
Shame cause it feels awesome to sail.
Thinking I need a very thin diameter SDM to help with the rotation.
I use a 460 mast on my 7.0m TRX not the recommend 430. With no extension needed the cams are attached a lot higher on the mast,so the rotation is better.
I use generally 4-6cm more extension than the settings recommend---to keep the foot of the sail from hitting the water.
Used my 6.6m TR8 yesterday in strong wind and it rigs so incredibly flat with lots of downhaul. A million times easier to hold above 20 knots than the 7m!
Select to expand quotepetermac33 said..
The TRX 8.4m that I recently bought-- the rotation is not comparable to the other Maui sails I have that rotate a treat.
Shame cause it feels awesome to sail.
Thinking I need a very thin diameter SDM to help with the rotation.
I use a 460 mast on my 7.0m TRX not the recommend 430. With no extension needed the cams are attached a lot higher on the mast,so the rotation is better.
I use generally 4-6cm more extension than the settings recommend---to keep the foot of the sail from hitting the water.
Used my 6.6m TR8 yesterday in strong wind and it rigs so incredibly flat with lots of downhaul. A million times easier to hold above 20 knots than the 7m!
Just got a 8.4 and yes rotations not the best.
Remove the top 3 cams and file them down about 4mm with a round file where the cam pocket fits/pushes into the camber inducer.
Bottom ones too difficult to remove and you can just kick that one around anyways.
We’ve improved upper twist sections by having better connection from the top 3 battens to the head , easier rotation by releasing the cam pressure slightly..
Copied from the MS website describing the TR-2016.Phil is hearing us.
I wish they would design a slalom sail where the cams rotate by themselves as you are half way thru rotation,rather than having to pull the backhard hard after rotation. My gybes need a big helping hand. Kicking one of the lower cams over is not fun sailing. Thankfully this problem has largely been solved.
Might try and file the cams back on the 8.4m.
I use a 2012 SRS mast-- believe its constant curve.
sad to hear of this "problem"
i have TR-4 10 and TR-6 8.4 m² sails which i purchased used, but quite new and unused
camber rotation was an issue at first - initial 3 - 4 outings
applied wet lubricant like SailKote and within 2-3 outings was MUCH better
after that , in good winds they rotate on their own
lighter winds still require the sudden "tug"
still love those sails, but heavy to uphaul and did not master water starting them ...
this strongly encourages one to NOT drop em 
If you are looking for easy rotation: Loft Blade on a rdm mast. Bought them because I didn't want to swim again with a broken sdm mast, but the easy rotation is a big bonus!
Most of the fully cambered race sails have their quirks. It's the price you pay for pushing the limits of performance.
optimal rigging and tweaking of cams will help to improve or fix rotation.
i have a racing blade with a skinny and rotation is good but it does depend on the setting used it can be a little sticky at times. My hot sails 8m rotates well but a 7.2 I tried didn't. My older pryde sails needed a bit of a kick.
if rotation is a major problem then the best option is a camless sail :)
I have owned more than 10 blades and except for a bottom cam on a 8.6 they always rotated perfectly. After modifying the bottom cam on the 8.6 this one rotated perfect as well. I also use camless sails when I don't feel like powered up sailing, but I never take a camless sail because of the rotation.
hi all,
what are your thoughts now after trying the new 2016 TR sails?
how is the low end/high end?
other thoughts?
thanks, Marko
Low end--less downhaul.
High end---more downhaul.
All relative to how much wind of course.
Tried a TR4 7.6m the other day. The newer Maui race sails have come a fair way since then. With no boom cutout it was harder to hold in the gusts
Rigged my TR8 6.6m today with not enough downhaul. Could only sail upwind in the gusts. It felt slow. Another 1cm or so of downhaul and a joy to use!
After around 2011-2012 race sail improvement of any brand in terms of performance is a big fat zero.
They are getting lighter for sure--but at a cost of durability.
