Late in September, Mark, our windsurfing manager, George, our rentals and lessons expert and I went out to Rowena to test some of the hottest new 2015 high wind gear. The wind was averaging 28 knots at Dougs according to iWindsurf and the water and air were still holding onto some lingering summer warmth.
Mark and I arrived to what appeared to be 3.7 to 4.2 conditions. George was already on the water tearing it up on the new Naish Global Wave S 78 and his Sailworks Revo 4.2. He was making it look good. We began our rigging frenzy.
2015 Naish Force Three 4.1
Having never sailed a three batten modern sail before I was excited to get the new Naish Force Three on the water. On the beach there were some slight wrinkles in the single Dacron luff panel that our Naish rep explained were necessary and would disappear on the water as the sail took shape. The Cross Batten certainly caught my eye as I was outhauling the tail edge of the batten is literally inches above the outhaul eyelet. This cross batten concept is thought to help increase power and give the sail a balanced feel. I was ready to find out.
Naish Force 3
The walk down to the water was a pleasant one due to the light weight of the Force Three and the extra pair of flip flops Mark loaned me to negotiate the razor like Rowena Rocks. On the water the first thing I noticed was an incredible amount of low end power. This sail could PULL. I had it rigged fairly full but still never expected the amazing amount of grunt. Up and planing the sail had a very light feel which was especially evident during transitions. The sail was a pleasure to rotate and handle. I didn’t feel completely “dialed in” especially when pointing upwind during gusts and the sail could have probably used a little more outhaul. I would have loved to play around with the adjustments a little but that will have to wait for another day as it was time to try another sail — tough job but somebody has to do it!
— Matt Morrow
Big Winds
207 Front Street
Hood River, OR 97031
888-509-4210
