I helped unload the container today and picked up my new 2013 Koncepts. All the way back to Sandy Point there was a 20-25 knots WSW wind. As soon as I unloaded and started to rig up the wind died out! That Murphy fella has a lot to answer for!
Anyhow, I rigged the 5m and 5.8m on the grass to check them out and start learning how to tune them. They looked fantastic right out of the box. Here are some pics:
5.8m
5.0m
5.0m
Looks like there could be a nice breeze tommorrow. Fingers crossed!
Funny to see you also discovered bricks are the best rigging help EVER.
Can't do without them. I always take about 50 pcs with me: 1 for rigging, and 49 for spares
Dani, the 4.2, 4.6 and 5.0 come standard with RDM cams, 5.8 and above with SDM cams. The cams are interchangable so you can run any size with either. Generally we would advise RDM on the 3 smaller sizes with 5.8 being fine on either. 6.2 and 6.6 rig on a 430 and you may see some subtle performance gains on an SDM, that said I ran my 6.6 on an RDM all last season and felt it was quite satisfactory. All the larger sizes we would definitely advise an SDM but it is physically possible to use an RDM.
I like the idea of being able to run with a quiver of RDM masts to 430 which I can also use in my Wave sails and then having the larger masts, 460 and above SDM for the best performance in the bigger Race gear.
looks like they are evolving nicely.
1.) Do they (well the 5.0 anyway) work on any other brand masts? Severne? /Pryde?
2.) Has anyone used the 4.0 (2011)? Was it any better than the 4.4 in a gale or was it too small and twitchy
I note the specs are the same as 2012. Any other changes apart from the clear X-ply in the luff pocket?
Yoyo, Sail design is optimised for a Mast curve of 13.5% + or- a bit . Every one of our masts are measured and they have all been in the 13's. Koncepts due to relatively low luff curve as far as race sails go have been less mast sensitive than most however to answer the last question at the same time the luff round has increased for 2013 (more noticably on the small speed specialised sizes) so they are going to be a bit fussier re mast curve. So yes they will work on other brand masts with compatible curves probably in the range of 12.5 to 14 and a bit. The closer you get to 13.5 the better.
2013-- outline the same as 2012 when we did the big changes but luff curves altered and seam shaping revised, more shape in the lower and the negative shaping in the top revised to tune twist. Aim was more profile down low in the speed sizes to provide drive when deep downwind. Also to help them work better on RDM,s as they tended to rig flatter at boom height on skinny's. We all love running RDMs on the speed course, more confidence that they will survive the big off's at 40+ knots!!!!
Not sure the boom lengths are 100% the same , need to check as from memory we increased the stepped clew a little bit, but I might be dreaming.
And of course there are new sizes allowing a better choice for varying rider weights.
A few guy's used their 4.0's last year, would need to be a cyclone for my f..t a..se to need one!!!
Mat, Amac and I have used the 4m sails a bit. Mat actually commented to me recently that once he feels it is too windy for the 5.0m he has been going straight to the 4.0m and skipping the 4.4m. His reason was that if he could get going easy enough with the 4.0m it was faster on really good conditions. I noticed AMac used the 4.0m one day last year when I was on the 4.4m and he set pretty much the same speeds as me. I recon Mat has got a good point. My problem is that I have not got enough time on the 4.0m to get it tuned exactly to my liking. I think I have it sorted now but need a 40 knots day to prove it (we always need a 40 knots day I guess! )
The 4.0m is certainly not twitchy. The boom is only a couple of cm shorter than the older 4.4m's and this was deliberate. It can be set will plenty of depth and trimmed flatter with out haul. We found it works better on stiffer masts and was actually designed with bottom cut 370 RDM masts in mind as there are so few 340's around.
There were some changes in 2012. The 2011 was RDM only with standard SDM cams. 2012 uses RDM cams although I think I have a SDM cam in the top.
In Sandy Point speed conditions the 4.0m is usable for us 73-75Kg guys from about 35+ knots up on small speed boards.
This is the 2011 one rigged on shortened 370 RDM
Rigged one of mine while watching the V8 shootout. 6.6 on a RDM and now i,ve got ichy feet. Wind now please. I,ll set up the 5.8 tomorrow. These will look very nice with the Green CA Rocket
Nice!
Looks like you got that extra down haul just right!
Nynaa, nynaa. I got to sail my 6.6m yesterday! It was REALLY sweet on the RDM. I think you wil like it a LOT!
Jezstrt, I rigged a 2013 6.2 yesterday on an RDM. Was spot on for luff length, set to spec with about a 2cm gap between pulleys and the boom was close ( varies a bit between top and bottom ferrule)
Also rigged a 2013 7.1 Race on a KA SDM. Again luff was spot on but I was nearly block to block. I think when it stretches in a bit I will be 1 hole longer which sounds like where you are with your 2012 Races.
Start with the printed spec and then tune.NB you will get some small variation depending on your mast and on your extension. I was using a KA RDM, KA boom and Chinook extension.
Why cant you guys take some advise, I am not criticising KA only the way it was rigged. Kato and Adrian can rig the sail right, maybe Daffy can look at that. I am not talking about floppy leeches Spotty I am talking about the profile below the boom including the loose luff pocket below the boom. When your mast is under load it bends side ways and will tighten the leech, I didnt think I had to tell you guys that, you dont sail on the grass do you. Hey, but its your regatta. Happy sailing.
These smaller speed sizes are really optimised for true deep downwind speed sailing. They are really full and powerful in the lower section of the sail . Some of the guy,s sail them with a bit less downhaul than you would a race sail for slalom racing. They also sail a bit smaller so are trying to get maximum drive and efficiency from a smaller sail. The lighter PiT Crew guy's like Andrew have found they are quicker on a smaller sails rigged very fat like this.
The sail will respond really well to more downhaul , twist off progressively and flatten out in the entry down low but is always going to be pretty beefy at boom height, it,s designed that way. I myself will sail bigger and crank on more downhaul, generally a meter bigger than Andrew, but until I go faster than him I am not going pick on anything he does!!!!! ( He does need to put a cam spacer in though)
For 2013 they have more shape and luff curve so I think the guy's will find they are running higher downhaul tensions than in previous years. Unfortunately we just didn't get enough really good days at Sandy Point this Winter to figure out the optimum trim on the prototype sails for true downwind 'World record" type speed sailing, but all the indicators are that the sails are going to be really fast.
Spotti did a 48peak on a day when most people didn't bother rigging due to the crap conditions!!!!
We can't wait for a good day!!! Bring it on.
I was looking at the ka website and couldn't find an 8.5m for 2013, they are being made this year aren't they? I can feel an early xmas present coming on.