I'm new to Raceboards, and sails with Cams.
Coming from a Windsurfer OneDesign (and wavesailing) background, I'm very disappointed with how long it takes to tack (and gybe) these raceboard cammed sails!
It forces the racing to be almost totally board-speed focused, straight out to the lay-line, to minimise the number of tacks.
I'd really like to be able to more easily respond to the lifts & knocks, but without sacrificing too much of the straight line board-speed.
Is it possible to construct fast, raceboard suitable, sails WITHOUT CAMS ??
Ezzy Cheetah gets close. Has a deep profile for a no cam, and is very flexible with outhaul adjustments for upwind downwind .
A little less downhaul and you have a tighter leach.
Come in big sizes & have a softer feel for pumping & than other brands
I am really slow at tacking and an area that I need to improve drastically.
What I am working on:
- pumping to pinch into breeze
- all weight on back foot
- oversheet to bring nose around
- minimum steps, hand holds to other side
- pump away.
Here's two tacks with the same three cam racesail but on different boards. For me it is the board that is the bottleneck to speed in tacking, popping the cams does take a moment but it really is just a moment.
My modern raceboard experience is limited but I see those big fins and long boxy rails and it's clear that the focus is on pretty much everything other than turning fast. That's cool and clearly works well but that's the tradeoff yes.?
Stick with it Steve, it will feel much more natural so soon. If it's of any value you're looking great on the new board, lovely stance and moving really well. Hopefully I'll see you out there in an hour or so!
AyreForce1, Yours is a common complaint from OD sailors. The ODs were designed to tack quickly. Raceboards are not. As Saltyheaven says, something to do with sharp rails and the distance between mast base and centre board. The cam or non cam sail has very little to do with it. In fact, because the Raceboards are more difficult to tack, its imperative to use the best sail possible. There are specialist raceboard sails, typically with 3 or 4 cams, smallish luff pockets, light weigth construction and tight leach. They are easier to handle than Slalom sails, with more power in light conditions and when working to windward. They can become a handful when overpowered. Adjustable downhaul and outhaul is essential to maximise wind range of the sail.
