The North RDM Carbon Extension (219 euros) weighs just 405 grams with an adjustment range of 0-34 centimetres - a value that hardly any competitor product can match. The adjustment system with split adjustment ring can be operated with one hand and is also used by other brands. The pulley guide is reminiscent of the Severne Cyclops extension: you can save yourself the trouble of threading and instead simply push the rope through the trim pulley of the sail using the loop-and-go principle and hook it onto the extension - done! This saves tedious threading and therefore time when rigging, but also means that you have a poorer gear ratio and therefore significantly higher pulling force is required on the luff.
The push button for locking the mast base is quite small - and a bit fiddly when sand comes into play.
surf conclusion: A feather-light and functional extension, ideal for wave, freestyle and freemove sails with low trim forces. If you value relaxed trimming and low pulling forces, you should stick with a standard extension with a quad ratio.
- Further information at northwindsurfing.com
