The Neilpryde Speedster already looks like a real powerhouse on land. With seven battens, which provide a lot of profile stability and already form a good visible profile even without pressure, bear forces are also necessary when trimming the luff - which you should also use to maximise the luff. With a lot of loose leech, you gain a lot of control and only lose a minimal amount of planing performance, which is already above average. The inherently tight set-up means that the outhaul can only be hooked in loosely. The sail can rest a little against the boom, but the battens are still positioned a little behind the mast without touching it, even without wind pressure, and rotate freely when the sail is shifted.
The batten tensioners can be operated without tools, but this is more for Leatherman-quality grippers. The protector can be folded up well, but not particularly high, the lower leech is solidly protected against chafing, the lowest battens are not. The top and outhaul (2 eyelets) are also solidly reinforced.
The centre of effort is bombproof
Once you've got it tight, this camberless group (together with Point-7) is as close to a real race feeling as you can get with the Speedster. Those who push hard will be rewarded by the harmoniously powerful sail with a remarkable cut and high top speeds, as it provides balanced power throughout the entire wind range. Even when overpowered, the centre of effort does not move an inch. The motto here is simply keep it tight and accelerate. It wouldn't hurt to move the harness lines on the boom a little further back, as there is always plenty of steam on the throttle via the rear hand.
Even after the jibe, through which the Speedster pulls surfers of every weight class through with plenty of horsepower, it jibes with a good jerk and wants to be held firmly, but rotates effortlessly. The powerful sail scores particularly well on closehauled courses and in wind holes with good speed and plenty of pull forwards. You can rely on the power of the Speedster in any situation.
Surf summary of the NeilPryde Speedster 7.2
A powerhouse for powerhouses who want to have something in their hands and also want to be fast without camber in any wind range.
Power in every wind range
Higher holding forces
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Technical data NeilPryde Speedster 7.2
- Sail weight: 4.32 kg
- Mast used: Neilpryde TPX100 SDM 460; 1049 Euro
- Sleeve opening: 116-163 cm
- Mast weight: 1.84 kg
- Price: 999 Euro
- Info under neilpryde.com
all data measured by surf
