Antwort, 01.08.2009 21:32 von The Bartman
Hi Lünesurfer,
I have a few NP Search sails, latest one a 6.2 from 2005 (the Search was renamed Alpha later). I weigh 73kg, so quite comparable with you, and I sail a 83L JP RWW. I recently shifted my Search sails for Zones (3.5, 4.0, 4.7) and a Combat (5.3), but I still keep the Search 6.2 for low wind days.
NP in general requires quite a lot of downhaul tension compared to some other brands, so it could very well be that you have to pull much harder than with the Gun (I don't have experience with Gun).
I don't recognise the issue with angleiten. My Search has quite some profile and power. To get the right trim, I normally fully pull out the downhaul (lots of tension required!) and than, depending on wind, release it just a little to get some extra profile and power. As I'm also a lightweight, I usually keep a lot of downhaul for more control. Outhaul is less critical, but don't over-tension it.
What could be the case is that you're used to a sail which is more "pumpable". The Search has a rather stiff profile, especially if you sail with lower downhaul tension. It gives a good deal of power, but it doesn't let you make a few quick pumps as easy as with a softer sail. That's something I recognise if I compare the Search with my new Zones. If this is the case, you should try a softer mast and use more downhaul.
If you're looking for a softer feel, I can also recommend using RDM masts instead of SDM: my Search sails became much more soft and easier to handle when I started using RDMs in them (eventhough NP at that time still kept recommending SDM). They don't need to be the expensive NP Combat ones: I use the 100% carbon ones from Gun and they do fine. Maybe borrow one from a friend to try it out!
Good luck!
The Bartman
