MauiSails Co-sail designer Artur Szpunar introduces the TR-8 2012 MauiSails race sail…

After the major step and significant outline and shaping changes of the TR-7, we have dedicated this season’s development to tuning and perfecting the tension, profile, and twist relationships in order to present a finely tuned and polished TR-8 race sail.

Performance wise, we achieved the goal to increase wind range and top speed by a combination of better balance and stability, together with improved control in gusts. The general design theme throughout the line required adding some extra locked in shape to the lower sail profile while balancing this with a slightly flatter upper profile. This produced a more progressive twist and improved release up top. Shaping adjustments were carefully matched to each size to ensure that the correct overall rig tension was achieved and verified with our load cell technology. Larger slalom and formula sizes received relatively more shape down low and a bit more overall tension in order to better support and stabilize their profiles and to aid in coasting through lulls.

While the entire TR-8 range also benefited from some extra shape and stability down low, great care was taken to ensure that they maintain a soft feel and light handling even when being pushed to the max by the biggest gusts. Stiffer reinforcements in the upper mast sleeve reduce stretch and have allowed us to flatten the upper sail body profile shaping and helped us to create an improved twist profile that progresses perfectly all the way up the leech. The result was a leech that has the optimum balance between release for light handling in gusts, without yielding the tension necessary to drive the board and provide excellent acceleration. The whole rig powers you while feeling perfectly balanced, efficient, and light in the wind.

Superior handling and non-issue cam rotation ensure that not only will the sails have brilliant speed in a straight line but will also make it around and away from the buoys as effectively as possible. We are confident that anyone who chooses the TR-8 race sails will have the best, fine-tuned engine with the ability to power them to the front of any pack.

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