Windsurf MagazineNAISH FORCE 4 5.0 2023 TEST REVIEW

NAISH FORCE 4 5.0 2023 TEST REVIEW

The verdict

With its laid-back Hawaiian look, it is no surprise that this sail produces the same in style. Don’t be fooled, however, The Force 4 can also be ridden with huge commitment and drive to produce some hacking turns.

The lowdown

Easily one of the most compact sails in the test lineup, the Naish Force 4 is the brand’s 4-batten “performance wave” sail. Developed directly with Ricardo Campello, the 2023 Force 4 is said to produce more power than in previous years with a lower centre of effort with the design focused on wave riding aerial performance and straight-line speed. The Force 4 sits next to the Force 5, Naish’s 5-batten wave sail quoted as their “power wave” sail that is also ideal for bump and jump with its incredibly wide range.

For the 2023 season, this sail has been redesigned with a shorter luff length making it the lowest-aspect sail in the test lineup, but in the Naish lineup, the 3-batten “Chopper” is the lowest aspect. Rigged on the Naish RDM 60, the Force 4 has a moderate display of luff curve maintaining some good flex in the sail whilst also having twin luff panels, ensuring the shape of the leading edge is maintained and controlled. The sail claims to have an “in-between-the-hands” feel, ideal for both pure wave riding and manoeuvre-focused wave sailing. The sail also features equilibrium batten pockets that are said to improve rotation whilst being light and durable and features 2 clew eyelets.

The Force 4 is available in sizes 3.5 through to 5.6 in two colourways, orange or blue. As with all the Naish equipment, the Force 4 has a classic Hawaiian look, making them unmistakable in the lineup.

Brand Claim

“Our 4 batten wave sail strikes the perfect balance between wave riding, aerial manoeuvres, and straight-line performance to put you exactly where you need to be when you need to be there.”

Performance

Once rigged the Force 4 stands out as having much more sail area above the boom than others in the test. On the water the sail feels well balanced between the hands, needing minimal rider input to transfer the sail’s power into the board. As power is generated, acceleration is smooth and controllable, providing time for the rider to get settled on the way out.

Through manoeuvres both on the water and in the air, the Force 4 feels compact and controllable, encouraging the rider to commit without the concern of being pulled out of position. This controllable and compact feel is mirrored on the wave, making it easy to move your hands up and down the boom to get the best out of the sail through the turns. In both onshore and offshore conditions, the sail finds its neutral point well, allowing the rider to be more board focused, resulting in a very surf-like character. One of the easiest sails to lay down through the bottom turn and commit hard to the rail, the Force 4 asks not to be over-downhauled in order to maintain performance. Its overall natural range is good and requires little tuning in order to maintain it.