TwentyFourteen NP Combat 4.7

Being a sucker for new gear I was on the door step of Wind, Surf and Snow the day after the new NPs turned up to grab my new quiver. I've run Atlas's for the past few years and the Alpha before them, I really love the power and stability that Atlas has to offer. Hang on you say....Yes this review will be about the Combat 4.7 but I also bought my usual quiver of Atlas's 5.0, 5.4 and 5.8 (Reviews to follow)....But I thought it was time to update my old 4.7 that only comes out a few times a year for the big westerlies or southerlies. I've opted to venture into the 4 batten world with the NP Combat 4.7 for my super windy sail, I was a little nervous about going four batten due to being a heavy weight at 95 kegs. But no issue and I'm super stoked with the performance of this little gem with good power, stability and a great wind range...I've had it out in 30-40 knots and it is such a pleasure to sail.



I really like the colours of the new sail, It stands out well on the water and it sets it apart from all the other sails out there. It will rig on a 370 or 400 mast, I use the NP combat masts and actually prefer the slightly softer feel of the sail when rigged on the 370...But it's still sweet on the 400 as well but you just notice the gusts a bit more, The boom length is 160.



The build quality is outstanding with an attention to detail that keeps me going back to NP year after year. Are they light...Well not when compared to a Severne Blade, There's about 300g more in the Combat compared to a similar sized Blade. On the water the sail feels great, Light in the hands and super stable when blasting along with a total locked in feel. The extra weight in the sail is kept low where it should be with the force line panels at the base and clew of the sail, The Armour web materials at the head of the sail seem to be very light. It makes for what appears to be one tuff sail with the ability to be easily flicked around in tacks and gybes



It has double seams around the Force line frame, I like this feature as I've had previous 2011 models that only had single seams which after only a season needed repair...So a big plus in the durability stakes. The Force line frame is meant to help with sail shape and load dispersion, I honestly agree with the hype as this is the most rock solid 4.7 I've ever sailed...Even when hauling a$$ in 40 knots.



It has 4 battens with 2 mini battens, I really can't say anymore...Other then it's so stable (I may have said that before). I also like how the skin tension of the sail is maintained even when pushing hard upwind, There is no mad flapping of the sail...Just super quite. This sail absolutely smokes upwind, It's almost too easy...even on my 90L OES twin.



The batten tensioners are the same that NP have used forever, No tools required just adjust and go. As you can see there is also a compact clew design with a cutout to reduce boom length to 160, Which was lucky as that's the minimum setting of my wave boom...One size smaller and I'd be up for a new boom. The rigging of the sale is easy, Just set it to the recommended downhaul (same everytime) and just play with the outhaul depending on power required. Even when fully flattened off this sail is nice to use, Like I said the wind range is just awesome.



Attached to the pulley is a lazy mans extension rope securer, Suits my style....Just wrap the rope around and clip it in. Too simple and no need to stuff the rope into the extension any more......Lazy I know but it works, It hasn't looked like coming undone at this stage.

Overall a great little sail that I wish I could get out in the waves but sadly 4.7 conditions for me are few and far between and usually reserved to bump and jump on lake illawarra. With it's power, acceleration and exceptional stability in a straight line or when flying through the air this is an awesome piece of sail design. Nothing against the new Atlas as I love them too but if I had my time around again I would have got a full quiver of Combats.

Anyways if you want to check em out jump on the NP website or just get in and see Sam and the crew at WSnS, Thanks to Sam for sorting out my new quiver.....They are the best sails I've used to date.

Cheers, See Ya on the water....

Mo battens Mo problems ^_^

Like I said that was the wet weight, I'll have to dry them out and use something a little more accurate then my bathroom scales. I did weigh them when I first got them and compared them against the blades of similar sizes and there was still 300-400g difference, I'll post accurate numbers when I get them. They are far from light though, it's the one thing I personally think Severne has over them.

Cheers.

I like your review JH, it mirrors my thoughts... all except the 4 batten thing.

I wish NP would forget this idea of 4 battens in smaller sizes. Like - yes, make 4 batten sails. Yes, make 5 batten sails.
But don't change the number of battens within the same model.

I do see that in smaller sizes 5 battens is not as necessary ... as the battens become closer together so are not needed for support - but that fails to acknowledge that heavy sailors use them in nukin winds.
4 batten may be fine for a 70kg pro sailor using his 4.5 in nice constant 20kn seabreeze........... but mine comes out in 30-35kn winter winds with squalls n stuff with big gusts. I want stability.
Maybe 4 battens in 3.2 and 3.7, but changing to 5 battens for everything under 5.0 is a pretty unrealistic size to start at.

I really feel the difference in stability and wind range when using the 4 batten sail.

If I wanted 4 batten I'd get a Fly. I have Combats and want 5 battens in all of them, simple.


NP have forgotten the big fella, like how they dropped the Firefly which was the finest best damn power wavesail (for smaller waves) and B&J - ever made.