New shape small sail

[JohnN]

Hi. Just wanting to know what the new shape small sail is like and if anyone has any recent experience?

I struggle on an inland water in anything above about 13knts (gusts above 25knts) mainly due to rapid shifts and turning me into irons. I am a relative newbie and weigh 70kg and have a MK2e with the new shape sail. I can keep up with others in lighter airs.

I am working on my technique but getting frustrated; will the small sail be the answer in heavier airs, I'd rather not splash £1k if it is not going to help? Thanks John

[nova1175]

Hi John, My Daughter, who just turned 14, uses the new small sail and is doing very well with it. She is approximately 55kgs and struggles with the new full sail in anything over 13kts. The old style small sail, she couldn't keep up with us. Now she is within a few seconds. Not long until I'm losing to her.

[DuncLlew]

Note that there are three types of small sail: the original which is white and half battened, a clear fully battened old style sail and the latest cut off fully battened. I wouldn't recommend the original half battened version as it's quite slow but I've recently started using the older fully battened one which is great, a big improvement. There's no official change to the handicap, but you may be able to negotiate one with your Sailing Committee.