NORTH S-TYPE 7.8 2013 TEST REVIEW
NORTH S-TYPE 7.8 2013 TEST REVIEW
THE LOW-DOWN
The S-Type freerace sail has featured in the North range for a number of years, gaining a great reputation for delivering a mix of speed and handling. For 2013 it’s been reshaped with a new lower aspect profile drawn from the Warp race sail line. The S-Type comes with a 2-yr warranty that’s upgradeable to a generous 5 years with online registration
AT-A-GLANCE
Six battens with three micro leech battens
Switch cam – 2 or 3 cam system
Twin trim clew
Large clew cut out
Compact outline
Thermo moulded tack fairing
High build quality
Moderately wide luff tube
Useful tuning aids – VTS & HTS
RIGGING
The S-Type can be setup as either a twin or three-cam with the bottom camber inducer being removable. We found it best set up as a 3-cam and tuned with plenty of downhaul. Using a 460 North Platinum 100% carbon SDM it was easy to rig, with zips on the luff to access each of the cambers. Tuning is also made easy with useful guides such as the ‘Visual Trim System’ (VTS) printed on the sail to help you get it set just right.
PERFORMANCE
The S-Type is light and balanced in the hands and easy to throw about with an almost ‘no-cam’ feel to it. Heavier riders found the low end much-improved from previous versions, but it’s still the top-end of the wind range that’s most impressive, with the easy handling still present even in gustier conditions. The flat-out, straight-line speed is impressive – and the windier the better. The 7.8 was a real joy to gybe and the rotation impeccably smooth.
THE VERDICT
The S-Type is a top class sail and a highly capable freeracing foil. The new modifications for this year have improved its overall performance but most notably the bottom-end grunt has increased without compromising handling. A versatile sail perfect for powering either fast freeride or slalom boards. Suitable for riders of any level looking for easy-to-access performance with smooth handling.
READ THE OTHER REVIEWS
GAASTRA COSMIC 8.0
NAISH INDY 7.5
POINT-7 ACK 3G 7.8
SEVERNE TURBO 7.5
SIMMER SCS 7.5
TUSHINGHAM LIGHTNING 7.8