NeilPryde Windsurfing

DESIGN OBJECTIVES:

• ZEN is to be a soft, easy handling sail appropriate for recreational use, intermediates learning the fundamentals of windsurfing as well as basic manoeuvres.
• ZEN is to be designed as a manoeuvre oriented free-ride sail.
• All sizes of ZEN are to fit on one size of mast and boom and the sail must be easy to rig and de-rig to optimise time on the water.
• Design emphasis is on low end power, simplicity and durability.
• Each ZEN size should be suited to the conditions that it is most likely to be used in.

For 2009:

• Bring the center of effort closer to rider.
• Reduce sailing weight - the sail needs to feel "light" in the hands.
• Improve range of use, particularly in the low end.

ACHIEVED BY:

• ZEN has a crossover outline featuring a relatively full, forward oriented profile and shaping to promote early, effortless planing.
• The ZEN has been designed using a NeilPryde 430cm mast and 160cm boom making it the most user friendly sail and rig combination in the range.
• Progressive use of monofilm thickness is used to combine a lightweight upper section with a durable foot area.
• Using only one mast and boom places limits on the sail"s dimensions but this is overcome through the use of a "Condition Specific Aspect Ratio". As the ZEN gets smaller, it becomes more high aspect; as the sails get larger the boom becomes longer and the sail more low aspect. A high aspect sail is more suited to windier conditions and small waves while a low aspect sail is typically suited to lighter airs and low end power giving the ZEN the best characteristics in each wind condition..

For 2009:

• The 2009 ZEN features a compact clew. This allows the designer to reduce the sail"s head size without increasing the boom length - this is especially relevant to the ZEN because of the need to use the sail on a 160cm boom and 430cm mast. The result is a more compact, manoeuverable sail.
• A reduction in luff curve and downhaul reduces sail body tension, which together with reduced head area reduces the sailing weight. This gives the sail a "light" feel.
• Introduction of a softer #4 batten (larger sizes only) encourages bottom end power.

"I love the idea of the Zen. I really don't like traveling with loads of gear on the airlines nowadays, and to be able to take just one mast and boom with me on holiday would be a real blessing. It was no surprise to me that the middle sizes of the sail were good as they should fit on a 430 naturally but I was surprised that the 4.9 and 7.2 work so well on the 430 too and both feel soft, responsive and a joy to sail.”

Robby Swift / K89