This compact clew improves the control of the sail in 3 ways: 1. SHORTER “WORKING” BOOM LENGTH Shorter luff length
The unique outline of the clew gives the rider a shorter “working” boom length. A shorter boom improves stability by limiting the movement of the draft, and gives the rider greater control over the increased bottom and mid-leech section surface area. When the sail is raked back, it also prevents the boom end from hitting the water on the larger freeride and racing sails.
Compact Clew allows boom length to remain similar
The 2009 wave and crossover sails have a lower aspect ratio than in previous years. So, whilst the boom length is not actually shorter than in the past, without the compact clew a longer boom length would have been needed in order to reduce the luff length.
Combat 08 - Background (Red) Combat 09 - Foreground (Blue)
2. RIDER FOCUSED SURFACE AREA
3. IMPROVED SAIL TWIST
Sail surface area can be removed from the head and transferred down towards the rider. This places a higher percentage of the sail’s surface area in direct connection with the boom, therefore ensuring easy control and powerful acceleration when fully sheeted in. In flatwater and racing sails the additional sail area in the lower leech section of the sail is supported by the “cross batten” that extends out beyond the end of the clew. Having less sail area in the head also gives the sail a much lighter feel.
The Compact Clew moves the attachment point of the sail further away from the leech. This gives the leech the ability to be more dynamic and twist further under high loads, again improving the stability and control of the sail.
DRAFT POSITION
Draft movement in overpowered conditions without compact clew
Draft movement in overpowered conditions with compact clew
The ideal draft position (deepest point in the sails profile) is approximately 30-35% back from the front of the sail. This is normally locked in with the shaping of the sail, battens, and cams (if included). However, as the load increases, the draft has a natural tendency to move back closer to 50% from the front of the sail, the midpoint between the mast and clew attachment points. The Compact Boom length shortens the length of the boom without changing the length of the sail (which is maintained by the cross batten in flatwater and racing sails). The draft is locked closer to its ideal position at 30-35% back from the front of the sail. Try NeilPryde’s sails with a Compact Clew, and feel THE DIFFERENCE.
Pieter Bijl Chief Tester NeilPryde Windsurfing R&D
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