Hi
I need a new wave sail for SDM masts. Can anyone her tell me what the real difference between the North Duke (5.4) and the Ice (5.3) is? As I plan to replace my 5.3 and 5.8 old sails with on of the them.
Does the Duke has more power? Does it get me faster over the white water?
I have good offer for these sails from 2010/11.
Any hints would be apreciated.
thanks and regards
Here is a start ....
www.windsurf.co.uk/test/north-ice-4-7/
www.windsurf.co.uk/test/north-duke-5-4/
thanks - I already read those and actually it does not really differentiate them much.
Duke: The Duke feels light and extremely well balanced in the hands.
ICE: It feels very light and perfectly balanced in the hands.
Duke: it has good bottom end grunt.
ICE: also still good at the bottom end
Duke: The top-end control is extremely good,
ICE: Its wind range is very good, particularly at the top end
Duke: will satisfy a wide range of riders
ICE: A great all-round wave sail
so they sound very similar ...
Will the Duke 5.4 behave 0.1 larger than the ICE 5.3?
Which one will have more "drive" to get out in not ideal conditions?
is there is difference in durability and weight on the other side?
Is there a noticeable difference between 2010 and 11? For 2011 North claims to have shaped the sails for RDM - does that mean that 2010 woule be better for SDM?
...
I know many questions for 1 simple choice ;-)
thanks and further help here. I sadly don't have time or the opportunitiy to test surf them.
i had both sails in that size, the duke has a slightly deeper luff pocket then the ice which i found trys to pull you forward off your feet, ice is slighty lighter in the hands and easier to depower on the back hand then the duke, the duke had a little more bottom end and was certainly faster of the wind...
I prefered the ice over the duke for my sailing
I had a couple of dukes ..it was more of a throw around slalom sail ,I felt ..I also would go the Ice .stronger construction ..
I still have a EGO .5.9 ..what a sail...my favourite of all time ..it needs a RDM ..stability is 9 out of 10.
i will never sell it . 
I can't comment on the Ice, but I owned a couple of Dukes and used them freeriding on my Rocket for several months when I first got back into the sport. I now only use race sails, but in retrospect I really liked the Dukes. Seemed to have a great wind range and didn't get all twitchy at the upper end (like the NP Fusion) and they have nice smooth power delivery down low. I used a North Platinum RDM at the time. They seem to have a nice amount of rigging adjustment too (i.e. downhaul and outhaul) to allow for a wider range of use. Although I don't use North race sails, I will forever be sold on the quality of materials and craftsmanship in North Sails.
North race sails are pretty good but wave/freestyle could be better. There are much better sails out there. I had two dukes 6.7 and 5.4 and 2 Ice sails, one ice hd. Similarities. North doesn't use very modern materials in their sails. A lot of monofilm unless Ice Hd. It makes sails a bit heavy and not super durable.
Now differences. Duke is a power sail and has much better low end than Ice. It means that if you get 5.4 Duke it will pull as say 5.7 Ice. Ice HD has a bit softer power delivery than regular Ice but it's a heavier sail.
When I was using dukes 6m and above it felt that the sail got overpowered pretty easy with enough wind. I had 4.0 monofilm Ice and it was pretty on-off sail.
I really recommend you look into Naish boxers, Forces, Severnes from same years and some 4 batten sails. These will have much better build materials, lighter and give you much more fun. You will likely need RDM masts.
As far as North goes I stopped buying them 5-6 years ago. But if the deal is good go for it. :)
Just for a little info.The DUKE and ICE are now 3 years old.
The current VOLT and HERO are far easier to feel the difference between the two.If you want more onshore, full on power, got the VOLT.
If you want a more down the line suited, power on/off sail. go the HERO.
I personally like the VOLT for it's pure power and 5 battern stability.Have had no worries with durability either.
Add some of the best warranty terms in the business and you're sorted.
thanks a lot for all that great input!
I love my 6.4 Duke. And I typically look for older sails for price reasons and I am not fulyl convinced that the latest sails are so much better that the older ones ;-).
But I actually went for a Naish Force (got a very good deal there - a 2013 one) - liked the light weight, short boom and shape of it and got curious to try out something new ;-).
A SDM mast fits nicely in, so far I was able to try it out already. But I have to still ride it on the water.
Once you sail other sails like Severne, Naish and try 4 batten ones you will feel the difference. I personally think that for price-quality North sucks now along with Neil Pryde. It's not like other sails are day and night, but they are lighter, deal with more wind better and use better/more modern materials. The lighter your rig the less swing weight it has. If you get ridiculously cool deals on North definitely go for it. It all sails fine after all :)
I remember North had a great sail called Voodoo. I think the last year of it in prod was 2007/2008. It was amazing sail until North decided to come up with Hero :(
As I often have onshore and sideone conditions I am typically more concerned about power to get out fast. Here I was always happy with North. And I hate it it if something breaks. But it seems that today light sails can be robust as well. Sadfully so far I did not have enogh wind to try out my new sail.
Actually, just as a side note - my most loved sail is my oldest: an A.R.T - wasn't that heavy, still in good shape with great handling and enogh power.
Again thanks for all the help and input here. :-)
