Windsurfing sails come in two main types.
Description of Windsurfing Camber Induced Sails
A windsurfing camber induced sail has a number of solid battens that provide the sail with a rigid shape. The battens, usually made of fibreglass, stretch in pockets from the mast, or luff, to the outer edge (leech) of the sail.
Where the battens meet the mast is the explanation of how these type of sails have come to be called “camber induced”. Small, plastic holders form a flexible fit around the mask at one end, and fit one of the six or so battens at the other. With the batten in place in the holder, and the sail in tension, the plastic holder is forced to one side of the sail or the other. With the sail in tension, the batten is also in tension.
With the battens all of different shape, flexibility and with a specific position on the sail, the sail is forced into a specific, pre-designed aerofoil shape.
During a sailboarding turn, such as a crave gybe, the sail is turned on the mast and the camber inducers force the battens into the aerofoil shape on the other side.
Occasionally during the turn, it can be common that some of the plastic camber inducers may not slide around on the mast. This usually occurs if the batten is quite tight in its sleeve, or if the sail is dry. To get all the battens sitting in the correct position, sailors may have to give the entire sail a sudden flick to force the camber inducers to move. Or it can be common for sailors to have to kick the lower battens to get them to flick around to the other side.
Description of Windsurfing Flat Sail or Rotational Sail
A flat windsurfing sail does not have these camber inducers. The aerodynamic shape of these types of sail is formed by the force of the wind in the sail; rather than the battens as in the camber induced sails.
When the sailboard is turned, and the sail is moved to the other side of the sailboard, the flat sail rotates within the mast sleeve. The wind then catches the sail and fills it out on the other side.
A flat windsurfing sail may have battens. These are usually on the leech of the sail and provide some stability in the sail on this trailing edge.
Difference Between Flat and Camber Induced Windsurfing Sails
The main difference between the flat sail and the camber induced sail is the former is generally a beginner’s sail, while the camber induced sail is mainly used by expert sailors.
Uses of the Different Types of Windsurfing Sails
Though flat sails are generally used for beginners to the sport of windsurfing, flat sails are also used for wave sailing. This is due to the manoeuvrability of the flat sail, and the need to quickly power and de-power the sail when in the surf. The camber induced sail is also difficult to manage when filled with the action of the waves.
A flat sail, in the hands of an experienced sailor, is also useful for performing windsurfing tricks such as chop jumping or duck gybes.
On the other hand, a camber induced sail is the better choice for fast slalom runs with high powered carve gybes at the end of each run. A windsurfing body drag is also much easier with the high power of a camber induced sail.
Camber induced sails are also easier for deep water starts and standing starts, as they hold their shape and the sailor can bring on the power much quicker than a flat sail.
Bruce Iliff - Hello from an Australian freelancer! I’ve been scratching articles together in Australia in a range of subjects for a number of ...
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