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Das AC-2 ist ein Slalom-Segel mit 2 Cambern, das AC-0 ein Slalomsegel ganz ohne Camber...
Zitat von Point-7Alles anzeigenCamber or no-camber for your slalom?
The normal perception we all have of sails without cambers against those with cambers is clear; With cambers we have more power and better stability, without cambers it’s lighter and easier in use.
But is it really like this??
Point-7 offers the AC-0 no-cam slalom and the AC-2 sports-racer a 2 camber sail; When put to the test how the real behaviour of these 2 sail groups? Keeping in mind that the characteristics of a sail reflects the development and intend of what a specific brand wanted from a specific sail line.
As an example; we at Point-7 always target ourselves towards incorporating maximum performance in acceleration, top-speed, control and comfort into our sails. keeping these key points as our main objectives during the development phase of the slalom, freerace and freeride sails.
For us it’s important knowing that our clients are the fastest on the water and that they have the control which will allow them to sail as hard as possible. It doesn’t matter if they sail with 4 cam race sail or a freeride sail, all the sails have been developed to meet our criteria.
In the AC-0 and AC-2 the difference between the two sails is not limited to the obvious facts, further they definite themselves as a group to other 2-cam or no-cam slalom sails on the market.
To prove this statement, we had the AC-0 slalom winning the Italian slalom Championship against cambered sails in 2006. It reached 43 knots during the speed run in Holland. The AC-2 recently received a great test result in the German Surf Magazine: Overtaking in top end performance all the 2 cam sails, having only one of the 3 cam keeping at its pace.
Between the AC-0 and AC-2 the obvious differences between the 2 sail lines still remain; such as weight, change of tack and rigging of the sails.
Weight: The structural weight of the 2 sails is similar. The AC-2 is not even 200grams heavier than the AC-0 . The only difference is the 2 cams and the extra material needed for the wider mast sleeve. The AC-2 is a bit heavier on the water during manoeuvres. The AC-0 has a mast sleeve much as on a wave sail, so less water than on the AC-2, gets into the mast sleeve when up-hauling or water starting with the sail. Both sail feel very light when sailing, due to the development made on the leach and sail profile….. even when the wind picks up to be totally overpowered. All power in the sails is transmitted into acceleration leaving the sail remain light and stabile.
Rotation: The rotation of the AC-0 is as a wave sail presenting no difficulty. The rotation of the AC-2 is very soft and easy, but as with all cambered sails; its less forgiving and needs a bit more practice during manoeuvres.
So if your jibing is not allowing for you to turn the sail at the right time, but you end up changing the sail too late; the cambers will still rotate, but it could mean that the manoeuvre becomes more difficult. If your jibing is average, you will not realize that the cambers are existing.
Rigging: The new cambered sails allows the mast to be inserted in the mast sleeve, without placing the cambers immediately on the mast. This new rigging method has almost made it faster to rig a cambered sail than a no cam sail... only a little more technique is needed. (Easy to learn).
Difference in performance:
As stated earlier, these 2 sails are at the top of their class our performing their rivals.
The AC-2 derives from the AC-1 development, the high-end race sail from Point-7. So it’s not just another classical freeride sail with the addition of 2 cambers, but a pure race machine with a couple of changes to make it more user friendly compared to the fully cambered sail.
The leach opening and outline of the two sails are very similar, two reasons why the AC-2 have the same endless acceleration and speed like the fully cambered sail. Compared to the AC-1; the AC-2 has less luff curve, smaller mast sleeve, 2 battens less and a profile which is slightly deeper and further forward in the sail. These characteristics allows for the sail to be softer in pumping, being easier to control in chop, easier down hauling, more power in the light wind and better control of the board as gusts hits the sail.
The AC-0 is a slalom sail; A no cam sail with high end performance, made specific to go fast and hold a lot of wind whilst keeping its stability. Made with 7 battens and not 6 as most of other freeride slalom sails on the market. The luff curve is like the cambered sails and the profile derives from same luff curve and not from the battens. Virtually meaning that the AC-0 and AC-2 has a sail body which is very similar in their construction. On land the AC-0 might appear very flat, but once the sail hits the wind, the mast is being bend away from the wind giving the sail its profile to the front: this profile is similar to the profile of the AC-1 ensuring a stability normally only found in race sails. The profile gives plenty power to the fin; having pressure on the fin is what makes the board accelerate and maintain a good speed! You‘ll be surprised how much wind this sail can handle and how the stability remains fixed from the lightest wind to the strongest gusts!
Differences: The top speed of the 2 sails is very similar, turning it into a real war between the 2 sails. The power to get planning and the amount of wind they can hold it’s also very similar. The AC-2 takes advantage in keeping a high speed through the lows that could be found in very gusty locations. The AC-0 will be more forgiving in jibes. In case of extreme light winds the AC-0 is requesting a less technical pumping method than what is needed with the AC-2. The acceleration out of the jibe, could be faster on the AC-2, but if you jibing is not at a good level, this advantage might not be felt.
The choice for between the 2 sails during purchase is very simple:
Do you like cambers? = AC-2
Do you hate cambers? = AC-0
Do you like being fast, but your jibes are still not so good? = AC-0
You jibe well and you might like to start racing = AC-2
Can you race with the AC-0 and win? = Yes, and you can be faster out of the jibe from those who would have full cambered sails and a bad technique.
Which sizes should you choose with 2 cam and those with no cam= You should choose according to what is explained above. Generally people tend to use the cambered sails for light wind and no cam slalom sails in stronger wind and for the smaller sails. That is also an option, but you should stick to the feeling you prefer and your technical level.
