MODEL: 2009 Neil Pryde Combat

DESCRIPTION: Since its reintroduction to the range in 2004, the COMBAT has re-established itself as NeilPryde's all-round, highly durable wave sail.

Equally at home in all types of wave sailing conditions, from huge onshore white water to perfect cross offshore winds and peeling waves, the COMBAT combines versatility with performance and, as a result of its "bomb proof" reinforced X-ply construction, extreme durability. So you can have confidence that, no matter how much trouble you get yourself into, the COMBAT will see you on the other side.

• To develop an all-round wave sail that feels at home in both side shore and onshore conditions.
  
• COMBAT must be a sail that features strong construction and durability.
  
• The sail must have a light sailing feel, soft feeling; have good bottom end performance and solid up-wind ability for onshore conditions.

FOR 2009:

• Bring the sails' centre of effort as close to the rider as possible.
  
• Improve the COMBAT's performance in side shore conditions.
  
• Further reduce the time required for the sail to transition from delivering drive (needed for bottom turms) to a 'neutral' feeling; ideal for coming off the top of a wave.
  
• Reduce the physical weight of the COMBAT.

• 100% X-ply construction, without the use of mono-film, ensures durability.
  
• COMBAT has a similar aspect ratio to Zone, but increased luff curve and shaping.
  
• Moderate body shaping reduces 'sailing weight', provides softer rotation and gives a more 'neutral' feeling.
  
• More leech tension than Zone improves upwind performance & early planing.
  
• Introduction of a hollow leech (2007/08) improved twist in the upper part of the sail and prevented the mid-leech from loading up and "blowing out".

FOR 2009:

• The 2009 COMBAT features a compact clew. This allows the designer to use a lower aspect ratio than previous COMBAT designs, but without increasing the booms' length. This results in a more compact, manoeuverable sail with a more rider focused surface area.
  
• Reduced luff curve in the top section provides for slightly more power release in the head (for side-shore action) while maintaining drive and upwind ability (for onshore conditions).
  
• Reduced downhaul and luff curve (in the mid-to-upper section) translates into less surface tension. This allows the sail to rapidly change it's 'mode' from giving 'drive' to being 'neutral'.
  
• Load specific reinforcement ensures strength in the most critical load areas helping to minimise weight.

Click on image to enlarge and see colourways.