First session on new North?
www.gps-speedsurfing.com/?mnu=user&val=408016&uid=22819
Impressive 1st outing. Ranking of the day:
www.gps-speedsurfing.com/?mnu=forum&forum=2&val=196055
Defi Wind starts tomorrow, looks light winds but you never know. www.windguru.cz/242
And the freerace is here! Starting at $1245 (before taxes) in the USA. Only four sizes 60-6.8-7.7-8.6. 6 battens. The weight reported is a typo? It shows 1.70 Kg for the 6.0, about 1.3 Kg lighter than the North Xover 5.8/6.0???? 2.3Kg for 8.6? 
At those weights I would buy in a blink ... but I think that they are obviously wrong.
Select to expand quotePhilUK said..
Impressive 1st outing. Ranking of the day:
www.gps-speedsurfing.com/?mnu=forum&forum=2&val=196055
Defi Wind starts tomorrow, looks light winds but you never know. www.windguru.cz/242
2nd is a very good result - note that he was using an unknown GPS device.
The fastest sailor on the day used a 2023 Loft 5.2 Racing Blade. Just behind the North in 3rd the sailor used a 2020 KA 4.7 Speed. The KA is one of the best value sails currently on the market and probably less than half the price of the North
Select to expand quoteJohn340 said..PhilUK said..
Impressive 1st outing. Ranking of the day:
www.gps-speedsurfing.com/?mnu=forum&forum=2&val=196055
Defi Wind starts tomorrow, looks light winds but you never know. www.windguru.cz/242
2nd is a very good result - note that he was using an unknown GPS device.
The fastest sailor on the day used a 2023 Loft 5.2 Racing Blade. Just behind the North in 3rd the sailor used a 2020 KA 4.7 Speed. The KA is one of the best value sails currently on the market and probably less than half the price of the North
That was 78kg Seb with only 2kg lead in the jacket... so really incredible speeds all things considered.
Select to expand quoteJohn340 said..PhilUK said..
Impressive 1st outing. Ranking of the day:
www.gps-speedsurfing.com/?mnu=forum&forum=2&val=196055
Defi Wind starts tomorrow, looks light winds but you never know. www.windguru.cz/242
2nd is a very good result - note that he was using an unknown GPS device.
The fastest sailor on the day used a 2023 Loft 5.2 Racing Blade. Just behind the North in 3rd the sailor used a 2020 KA 4.7 Speed. The KA is one of the best value sails currently on the market and probably less than half the price of the North
Fastest sailor Ben Vandersteen is a pro sailing with amateurs, they did very well compared to Ben who was testing a few boards for his brand
Select to expand quoteslowboat said..John340 said..PhilUK said..
Impressive 1st outing. Ranking of the day:
www.gps-speedsurfing.com/?mnu=forum&forum=2&val=196055
Defi Wind starts tomorrow, looks light winds but you never know. www.windguru.cz/242
2nd is a very good result - note that he was using an unknown GPS device.
The fastest sailor on the day used a 2023 Loft 5.2 Racing Blade. Just behind the North in 3rd the sailor used a 2020 KA 4.7 Speed. The KA is one of the best value sails currently on the market and probably less than half the price of the North
That was 78kg Seb with only 2kg lead in the jacket... so really incredible speeds all things considered.
His name is familiar as he has put quite a few good videos on youtube of him on fin & foil. This day he set a load of PBs.
I think this tech is the future . It seems far away from eco or recyclable. Can it be repaired by a sailmaker ? If it can't be easily repaired , is it actually a longer lasting sail ? My guess is that these sails have a shorter lifespan than normal sails ???
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..
I think this tech is the future . It seems far away from eco or recyclable. Can it be repaired by a sailmaker ? If it can't be easily repaired , is it actually a longer lasting sail ? My guess is that these sails have a shorter lifespan than normal sails ???
Read above the review by Gwarn, he might be the person who has used them the longest. It does not look like they last any longer than a normal sail.
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..
I think this tech is the future . It seems far away from eco or recyclable. Can it be repaired by a sailmaker ? If it can't be easily repaired , is it actually a longer lasting sail ? My guess is that these sails have a shorter lifespan than normal sails ???
I read somewhere that you just glue/iron on a repair patch that easy.
Select to expand quotechoco said..Imax1 said..
I think this tech is the future . It seems far away from eco or recyclable. Can it be repaired by a sailmaker ? If it can't be easily repaired , is it actually a longer lasting sail ? My guess is that these sails have a shorter lifespan than normal sails ???
I read somewhere that you just glue/iron on a repair patch that easy.
That would be good . Are those patches available to us backyarders ? Or is it only for the sailmakers that make these sails ? Will my local sail fixer loft know what to do ?
I bought a 5.8 wave and can't get it too rig properly on one of the 3 masts I own. I may be wrong but it seems like it wants a flex top mast not constant curve. Has anyone used successfully anything other than a North mast?
Update:
109 sessions the first mechanical breakdown.
Don't take this the wrong way as I love this sail as it is LITE.
The build quality is not there for it to last.
It's clear to me that their intentions were to make it as lite as possible.
I went into this with a open mind knowing that I'm going to be a real-world Beta tester paying full MSRP pricing.
To date it has cost me around 15 USD per session.
Unfortunately I now have to spend money on it and drive 50 miles to the sailmaker.
I wish all you the best of luck with the race sails (Bladders, Etc).
Back to the Ezzy Taka which I also love to ride......
My next dilemma is do I order a new one as a back up after I fix this one so I don't miss a day?
Select to expand quoteWateratPat said..
I bought a 5.8 wave and can't get it too rig properly on one of the 3 masts I own. I may be wrong but it seems like it wants a flex top mast not constant curve. Has anyone used successfully anything other than a North mast?
Yes, I'd agree with that sentiment. I rigged it on a Goya, which is definitely flex top. It worked great on the Goya.
Select to expand quoteGwarn said..
Update:
109 sessions the first mechanical breakdown.
Don't take this the wrong way as I love this sail as it is LITE.
The build quality is not there for it to last.
It's clear to me that their intentions were to make it as lite as possible.
I went into this with a open mind knowing that I'm going to be a real-world Beta tester paying full MSRP pricing.
To date it has cost me around 15 USD per session.
Unfortunately I now have to spend money on it and drive 50 miles to the sailmaker.
I wish all you the best of luck with the race sails (Bladders, Etc).
Back to the Ezzy Taka which I also love to ride......
My next dilemma is do I order a new one as a back up after I fix this one so I don't miss a day?
That top pic looks disturbing. What's going on there?
Looks like a well-worn T Shirt.
And yes, you should buy another one. Your giving valuable advice.
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..Gwarn said..
Update:
109 sessions the first mechanical breakdown.
Don't take this the wrong way as I love this sail as it is LITE.
The build quality is not there for it to last.
It's clear to me that their intentions were to make it as lite as possible.
I went into this with a open mind knowing that I'm going to be a real-world Beta tester paying full MSRP pricing.
To date it has cost me around 15 USD per session.
Unfortunately I now have to spend money on it and drive 50 miles to the sailmaker.
I wish all you the best of luck with the race sails (Bladders, Etc).
Back to the Ezzy Taka which I also love to ride......
My next dilemma is do I order a new one as a back up after I fix this one so I don't miss a day?
That top pic looks disturbing. What's going on there?
Looks like a well-worn T Shirt.
And yes, you should buy another one. Your giving valuable advice.
The batten above the boom poked out of the pocket and the only way I could get it out was to fish it out of the mast sleeve opening.
As for the sail it's very soft like blanket the only crispy thing is the mono film window. It's different!!!!
When the sail is tuned correct it's fast in a strange way like no other sail that I have used. If the tune is off it's a dog with no power and it's not easy to find it's sweet tune spot even with the north mast.
It's a love-hate relationship for me.
I have come to terms that it's a one season sail for me ( 200 days a year in 20+ knots 5 months in Baja Mex. and 7 months in San Francisco Bay.
For the guy that PM me
I'm still waiting to hear back about the 2 year warranty but the sail info tag fell off after a couple of days of riding so I don't have any numbers to give them so I sure they'll tell me I'm out of luck will see......
Select to expand quoteGwarn said..
I have come to terms that it's a one season sail for me ( 200 days a year in 20+ knots 5 months in Baja Mex. and 7 months in San Francisco Bay.
if that sail lasted you one season, how many seasons would you get from a different brand if used the same amount of time?
since the sail has been available for less than two years, they shouldn't make a fit about it. keep us posted.
Have the race sails been dominating the defi? Surely over those distances these superior sails would really stretch out a lead?
That is sad to see but also not really a surprise to many I think.
Now this thread becomes very interesting as this should probably be fixed under warranty if this is the result of early failure under normal use. Keen to see how that plays out. Hope this is a one off and not all these sails start failing in a similar way.
If you're getting 200 uses out of one sail, that seems fair. I wouldn't consider that as premature wear. If it gets fixed for a couple hundred dollars and does another 100 uses ...........
If ridden hard , I wouldn't think too many moden slalom boards would last 200 sessions.
I am not a professional sailmaker but have worked in many of the local lofts, and sailed on many racing boats with these sails.
Imho,
North 3di are built "just" strong enough, but are fast and light in the time that they last. Not a long term sail if thrashed.
They can be repaired with the job being quite invisible if you can get matching layups.
Once they start to break down like in the pics, other high wear areas, especially any area that is bent, crushed, squashed in the bag or on the water, will also break down.
They do look hot!
Hmm idk, my sails last longer than 200 sessions for sure and when I replace them I can still pass them on as they are still sailable. Also, this is at 120 sessions so about half of 200.
Gwarn, how many sessions do you normally get out of your sails?
I think that 200 sessions a year is very selfish, you can redeem your selfish ways by sending some of that wind over to the UK. I'm lucky if I get 40/50 sessions each year :)
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..
Were talking 200 sessions on the one sail , not a mixture .
Where do you get 200 from? Read what Gwarn said: the sail broke at the 109th session. It is a sample of one, but there are plenty sails that last way more than that without needing a trip to a sailmaker. Some are immortal, like the Hot Sail Maui dacron freaks.
Given the flexibility of the technology North could probably make the sail bulletproof, but it looks like it decided to go uber-light and it is not surprising that the sail falls a part. Weight is the major advertisement appeal of these sails. Really, why would you spend at least fifty % more than anything else on the market if not to save a few hundreds grams?
BTW: they are sticking with the posted weight for the Freerace sail, somebody e-mailed back from North claiming that the 8.6 is indeed 2.3 Kg. I still think it is absurd claim... but I am sure that claiming the absurd will sell a few more of those $1250-1600 jewels!
www.chinook-leucate.com/Recherche.aspx?motsclefs=North+3di&id_t_article_entete=107942&pagecourante=1&NbParPage=26
Glue a patch on
Select to expand quotemark62 said..
I think that 200 sessions a year is very selfish, you can redeem your selfish ways by sending some of that wind over to the UK. I'm lucky if I get 40/50 sessions each year :)
Sorry I don't think so I've cut the chains of capitalism and set my soul free of punching the clock and paying tax... Select to expand quoteduzzi said..Imax1 said..
Were talking 200 sessions on the one sail , not a mixture .
Where do you get 200 from? Read what Gwarn said: the sail broke at the 109th session. It is a sample of one, but there are plenty sails that last way more than that without needing a trip to a sailmaker. Some are immortal, like the Hot Sail Maui dacron freaks.
Given the flexibility of the technology North could probably make the sail bulletproof, but it looks like it decided to go uber-light and it is not surprising that the sail falls a part. Weight is the major advertisement appeal of these sails. Really, why would you spend at least fifty % more than anything else on the market if not to save a few hundreds grams?
BTW: they are sticking with the posted weight for the Freerace sail, somebody e-mailed back from North claiming that the 8.6 is indeed 2.3 Kg. I still think it is absurd claim... but I am sure that claiming the absurd will sell a few more of those $1250-1600 jewels!
Yes they could make it bulletproof. But it looks like they would rather use hype marketing to sell sail in the short term and not worry about the long term sales. I feel they are banking on that most people will use it a handful of time per year.Select to expand quoteptsf1111 said..
Hmm idk, my sails last longer than 200 sessions for sure and when I replace them I can still pass them on as they are still sailable. Also, this is at 120 sessions so about half of 200.
Gwarn, how many sessions do you normally get out of your sails?
I can get up to 300 easy on my Ezzy Taka Sails (15 years on Ezzys).
I heard back from north in a email about the warranty and was told that they have no control over it and I need to contact the store that I bought it from. The store is only open on the weekends and is over two toll bridges and 50 miles away. So I'll just take to my local sailmaker down the coast in Davenport, Calf.
Basically They Kicked The Can Down The Road.
I'll have it fixed and then use it up and not look back.
North windsurfing is now dead to me.
RIP North Windsurfing.......................
Select to expand quoteGwarn said..mark62 said..
I think that 200 sessions a year is very selfish, you can redeem your selfish ways by sending some of that wind over to the UK. I'm lucky if I get 40/50 sessions each year :)
Sorry I don't think so I've cut the chains of capitalism and set my soul free of punching the clock and paying tax... duzzi said..Imax1 said..
Were talking 200 sessions on the one sail , not a mixture .
Where do you get 200 from? Read what Gwarn said: the sail broke at the 109th session. It is a sample of one, but there are plenty sails that last way more than that without needing a trip to a sailmaker. Some are immortal, like the Hot Sail Maui dacron freaks.
Given the flexibility of the technology North could probably make the sail bulletproof, but it looks like it decided to go uber-light and it is not surprising that the sail falls a part. Weight is the major advertisement appeal of these sails. Really, why would you spend at least fifty % more than anything else on the market if not to save a few hundreds grams?
BTW: they are sticking with the posted weight for the Freerace sail, somebody e-mailed back from North claiming that the 8.6 is indeed 2.3 Kg. I still think it is absurd claim... but I am sure that claiming the absurd will sell a few more of those $1250-1600 jewels!
Yes they could make it bulletproof. But it looks like they would rather use hype marketing to sell sail in the short term and not worry about the long term sales. I feel they are banking on that most people will use it a handful of time per year.ptsf1111 said..
Hmm idk, my sails last longer than 200 sessions for sure and when I replace them I can still pass them on as they are still sailable. Also, this is at 120 sessions so about half of 200.
Gwarn, how many sessions do you normally get out of your sails?
I can get up to 300 easy on my Ezzy Taka Sails (15 years on Ezzys).
I heard back from north in a email about the warranty and was told that they have no control over it and I need to contact the store that I bought it from. The store is only open on the weekends and is over two toll bridges and 50 miles away. So I'll just take to my local sailmaker down the coast in Davenport, Calf.
Basically They Kicked The Can Down The Road.
I'll have it fixed and then use it up and not look back.
North windsurfing is now dead to me.
RIP North Windsurfing.......................
very interesting info re session count do you mind expanding a bit?
What are your sessions like? what are the conditions you are sailing in?
300 sessions in consequential waves could be very different wear and tear to 300 sessions on a lake or more wind blown softer waves
Select to expand quoteI heard back from north in a email about the warranty and was told that they have no control over it and I need to contact the store that I bought it from. The store is only open on the weekends and is over two toll bridges and 50 miles away. So I'll just take to my local sailmaker down the coast in Davenport, Calf.
Basically They Kicked The Can Down The Road.
I'll have it fixed and then use it up and not look back.
North windsurfing is now dead to me.
RIP North Windsurfing.......................
I would stay on it . Persist with North or the shop. You might just get a new one . Post it to the shop , they may fix it .. If you take it to a sailmaker , that's the end of it .
