Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by BEAUDET JE » Sun, 02 Jun 1996 04:00:00


I'm looking these days to buy a 6.5 slalom sail. Known brands like Gastra,
NP and North are all over $640 CDN ($470 US). The alternative are
"Simmer Sails" or "Hot Sails Maui" for around $550 CDN ($400 US).

Does somebody experimented those sails? (I have, personally, never heard
about these brands) And what about the prices? Are they comparable to prices
in your area?

Jean Beaudet, Montreal, Qc.

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by NLW TFW » Tue, 04 Jun 1996 04:00:00

Jean --
The Simmer name and brand are as old as windsufing. In fact, I'll bet the
name was around even before anybodt put an articulated sail on a
surfboard. Simmers are very good sails. HOT Sails Maui has also been
around quite a while now, and makes pretty good sails. But add World Sails
(919-995-5441) in Cape Hatteras and MultiSails at 1-800-DOMULTI to your
list of lower cost, excellent quality sails. The MultiSails is the most
unique -- you get three sails (one that rugs in 3 sizes) for about $400
US, and their quality and performance are outstanding. World Sails run
under $400 US, and are built better than many sails on the market.

Talk to them.
Mike \m/
Never Leave Wind To Find Wind

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by Volker Wedemeie » Wed, 05 Jun 1996 04:00:00


Quote:
> I'm looking these days to buy a 6.5 slalom sail. Known brands like Gastra,
> NP and North are all over $640 CDN ($470 US). The alternative are
> "Simmer Sails" or "Hot Sails Maui" for around $550 CDN ($400 US).

> Does somebody experimented those sails? (I have, personally, never  
> heard about these brands)
> And what about the prices? Are they comparable to prices in your
> area?

Quite a few of my friends use Simmer Sails (including my girlfriend) and
they seem to be pretty good. They are quite popular, at least here in
Germany. But I don't think they are much cheaper than NP or North here. As
far as I know, they are well in the same price range. A few years ago
they even were among the most expensive sails available.

As with Hot Sails Maui, I've heard about them and they are available
here, but I don't have any experience with them. Not even second hand. :-)))

Volker

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by Gary Wo » Wed, 05 Jun 1996 04:00:00


Quote:

>I'm looking these days to buy a 6.5 slalom sail. Known brands like Gastra,
>NP and North are all over $640 CDN ($470 US). The alternative are
>"Simmer Sails" or "Hot Sails Maui" for around $550 CDN ($400 US).

>Does somebody experimented those sails? (I have, personally, never heard
>about these brands) And what about the prices? Are they comparable to prices
>in your area?

>Jean Beaudet, Montreal, Qc.

Jean, I have 3 Hot Sails currently : a 1994 4.5 single cam AWOL, a 5.5
1992 XTR twin (external) cam, and a 7.0 Velocity from 1994.

I bought them for price per point value, but they seem to be good
quality, or as good as most of the higher priced competition. The
5.5 and 4.5 handle a phenomenal amount of wind, and often I rig a
full size larger than some friends who are bigger than me.  A favorite
combination of mine is the 5.5 twin cam with an 8.6 for bump sailing,
when it is really 5.0 conditions.  The down side is that they have
little low end power.

The Velocity slalom sail is better for low end, and has a good
top end as well.  Add a bit of downhaul and get another 5 knots
out of it.  It has narrow luff sleeve and works well on boards
over 9.0 or 9.2.  My only criticisms of the sails would be :
- Velocity (94s) have very long boom length for a 7.0 (over 7')
- AWOLs (94s) very downhaul sensitive. A little too much and slog.

The Hots are available at Silent Sports in Toronto, and probably thru
Montreal as well, although I am not sure where.  They usually undercut
NP and North by close to $100 Cdn in slalom sail sizes.

Gary
(Ottawa)

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by Ivars Kirstei » Thu, 06 Jun 1996 04:00:00

I have Simmer Slalom 4.0 and 4.6 sails and am very happy with their
performance. They are very stable even in extreme overpowered
conditions. They also seem to be quite durable.
                                   Ivars


Quote:


>> I'm looking these days to buy a 6.5 slalom sail. Known brands like
Gastra,
>> NP and North are all over $640 CDN ($470 US). The alternative are
>> "Simmer Sails" or "Hot Sails Maui" for around $550 CDN ($400 US).

>> Does somebody experimented those sails? (I have, personally, never  
>> heard about these brands)
>> And what about the prices? Are they comparable to prices in your
>> area?

>Quite a few of my friends use Simmer Sails (including my girlfriend)
and
>they seem to be pretty good. They are quite popular, at least here in
>Germany. But I don't think they are much cheaper than NP or North
here. As
>far as I know, they are well in the same price range. A few years ago
>they even were among the most expensive sails available.

>As with Hot Sails Maui, I've heard about them and they are available
>here, but I don't have any experience with them. Not even second hand.
:-)))

>Volker

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by beuk » Thu, 06 Jun 1996 04:00:00

Quote:


> > I'm looking these days to buy a 6.5 slalom sail. Known brands like Gastra,
> > NP and North are all over $640 CDN ($470 US). The alternative areHi there!

Is there anybody who can give me some information about windsurfing and surfing in Victoria, Australia.
I have to spent 6 weeks from the mid of AUG. on in Melbourne and want to get wet althouh I know that
this time isn't that good. What about rental stuff?  And any hints for snowboarding?

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by Gr8Ji » Fri, 07 Jun 1996 04:00:00

I've recently picked up a used Axxis 260, which is dramatically different
from anything I've owned since that first Sunset Slalom.  With the stock
fin -- Wave Slalom Small -- I spin out a lot.   I sail generally with a
5.0 in SF Bay, but may in the future stretch this board's range at times
from 4.0 to 5.5 -- maybe 6.5 rarely for kicks -- when I travel light (with
just one board).  Any experiences with different fins on this board?

Bill

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by larry randl » Fri, 07 Jun 1996 04:00:00

Quote:

> I've recently picked up a used Axxis 260, which is dramatically different
> from anything I've owned since that first Sunset Slalom.  With the stock
> fin -- Wave Slalom Small -- I spin out a lot.   I sail generally with a
> 5.0 in SF Bay, but may in the future stretch this board's range at times
> from 4.0 to 5.5 -- maybe 6.5 rarely for kicks -- when I travel light (with
> just one board).  Any experiences with different fins on this board?

> Bill

i sail the axxis 260 (also on sf bay) it has become my most used board. i
use a 16 in. blade most of the time. when the water gets too rough i
switch down to a 13 in. concrete wave blade. i weigh 190 lb and usually
sail with 6.0 5.5 or 5.0. the 16 in. blade lets me point high in
lighter wind. it's surprising how well the pudgy axxis 260 can point.
when the water gets too bumpy to prevent chaos, i switch to a skinnier
seatrend 260 with a concrete wave small or medium wave fin. some folks i
know like the true ames hot tip fins for bumpy conditions.

good luck

larry

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by Robert Pettersson SM/ » Sat, 08 Jun 1996 04:00:00

Personally i think Simmer style works best,i have not tried the 96 race sails yet.
but the slalom TC works perfectly.Not to mention the Simmer Onshore wave sails.
The only think that is not good with them is that last year they where sold out
in July(in Sweden anyway) so i had to wait for the 96 years sails.I strongly
recommend the Simmer style sails,in Sweden i think its one of the best sails we got
and we have Gaastra,Hot,NP,UP,Arrow.and many moore,but compared to them i personally
have had the most fun with the Simmer sails.And thats what its all about isent it?
                                             This summer its gonna get wild up here
                                                     Best regards Jonas Strangert  

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by NLW TFW » Sat, 08 Jun 1996 04:00:00

This thread's initial question ("Who's heard of Simmer or HOT sails?") is
yet another indicator of the fact that many of us jump into and pursue
windsurfing (and many other endeavors) without reading the related mags.
Anyone who isn't an expert can shorten their learning curve considerably,
whether it's in hardware (e.g., sails) or in technique (e.g., -- gulp --
learning to jibe). And because the faster we learn the quicker we get to
the good stuff, reading is quite important until the mags and books get
repetitive and we could write it better ourselves.

Asking questions here is a great adjunct to the mags, but it leaves a lot
to be desired in terms of depth and breadth -- and it still requires
reading! So much of the stuff covered here has been covered thoroughly in
da mags. Of course, here we get the personal touch along with the details
-- sort of like combining Surf with Wind Tracks. Gee, we could call such a
mag ... SurfTracks, or maybe ... Windsurf .. or ... Windsurfing.

During my first several years of windsurfing there were no mags on the
sport that I knew of, so I had to learn everything from tacking to fin
theory by myself. Then I found a magazine, and learned more in one session
on the throne than I had in three years on the water. Well, almost. I'd
still be using teak booms, plastic football fins, and 13' plastic boards
if I hadn't found the mags. Well, almost.  

For example, this thread has addressed just two brands of sails in
response to a specific question, and superficially at that. On the other
hand, several models of these brands and another dozen brands of sails
have been discussed at length in each of many mags in English alone. The
thread originator got quick answers here, but would get much more thorough
answers from the mags. I suspect the owners responding here are as biased
as detractors would claim the mags are, that owners have certainly
compared fewer brands and models than mag testers have, and a mag's
opinion is usually based on the consensus and individual  opinions of more
riders than have responded to this thread.

Use what you've seen here, Jean, but expand your search beyond this for a
faster overall knowledge expansion. This sport is far too complex to learn
it through listening solely to the ramblings of biased, myopic, verbose,
bump and jump nerds like me. I've read, and written for, almost every
windsurfing magazine in this country since 1982, but I still learned
something new and useful from virtually every one of the approximately
250-plus issues I've read. Maybe I'm just a slow learner, but I also have
to sail vicariously part of the year. Every mag that got me closer to a
jibe, or a great board, or the perfect vacation spot was worth its cover
price.
Mike \m/
Never Leave Wind To Find Wind

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by Mark 'Cecil' DeFrie » Sun, 09 Jun 1996 04:00:00

Quote:

> Is there anybody who can give me some information about windsurfing and

surfing in Victoria, Australia.
Quote:
> I have to spent 6 weeks from the mid of AUG. on in Melbourne and want to

get wet althouh I know that
Quote:
> this time isn't that good. What about rental stuff?  And any hints for

snowboarding?

I'm pleased to say you should have lots of fun both snowboarding and
windsurfing in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in August.

First the snowboarding.... not my sport, but when you get into town I
suggest you contact Mordy Surf, Snow and Sail on 9580 1716 (from overseas
+61 3 9580 1716) and they will advise you on everything.... windsurfing
too.

Now the sailing.... Melbourne is situated on Port Philip Bay, a large
circular body of water some 50k across (you can only just see the other
side of the bay in places).  Melbourne gets a fair bit of wind, I average
2-3 days a week of sailing as the fronts come through regularly.  The
conditions vary from relative flat water (0.3m chop) to real bumpy chop
(2.0m)... lots of fun!  There are sheltered spots with flatter water at
Middle Park and Sandringham for learners... and schools there too.  One
can rent equipment at a shop called Sailboard HQ in Sandringham... and
it's good stuff - Mistral boards, Gaastra sails etc.

The bay holds hundreds of excellent sailing spots, Point Ormond, Ricket's
Point, Green's Point  etc etc etc

Transport?  If car rental's out of the question then I guess you could
catch a bus down the beach road.... Middle Park is 8 minutes drive from
the city centre, Sandringham is 20 minutes south, and Mordy (Mordialloc)
is 35 minutes (I live and sail in the Mordy area).

Wave sailing - there are lots of places - and they can be quite big.
Jason Palakow's home town Torquay boasts Point Danger - quite a forgiving
wave sailing place - no white water to go out on - but you can scream in
to the break on the point - real fun... and lots of very good sailors in
the area.  There is also Point Leo.... and many more.  Torquay is 90
minutes drive from the city.

2-3 hours drive from the city is Sandy Point - where the current sail
speed record was broken by the catamaran 'Yellow Pages'.  Flat, flat water
courtesy of a long sand bank and a good South Westerly wind will have you
travelling faster than you've ever sailed.... a bit scary actually.  Near
there is Waratah Bay - with fairly good wave conditions.

I trust this has wet your appetite for sailing in Melbourne.  The best
months are a little later in the year, but August should treat you well.
I'm in Perth at the moment, but will be back in Melbourne in August and
will see you out in the water.

Mark

Mark 'cecil' DeFriest           __   /\  May the wind be at your side
Perth       Australia          /  \_/  \    since it's no good coming
Phone: +61 18 385 153         /         \     from up front or behind

                               \_/   \_/            
                                      __
                                      \/

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by Wilzo » Mon, 10 Jun 1996 04:00:00

Just don't buy a sail mail order.  You seem like a nice guy who really is
just getting into windsurfing.  Get aquainted with your local dealer and
buy your sails in person.  Make sure he rigs them for you as many times as
you need, and answers all your questions.  That will be worth ten times
the small amount you might save by going mail order.

 
 
 

Who knows about "Simmer Sails" & "Hot Sails Maui" ???

Post by sailq.. » Tue, 11 Jun 1996 04:00:00

Quote:

>I've recently picked up a used Axxis 260, which is dramatically different
>from anything I've owned since that first Sunset Slalom.  With the stock
>fin -- Wave Slalom Small -- I spin out a lot.   I sail generally with a
>5.0 in SF Bay, but may in the future stretch this board's range at times
>from 4.0 to 5.5 -- maybe 6.5 rarely for kicks -- when I travel light (with
>just one board).  Any experiences with different fins on this board?

Bill:

The wave slalom small is one of the loosest fins I ever sailed.
Try a True Ames "Hot Dog" if you really want both speed and control.
A Rainbow "Rhino" 10" to 11" would be good if control, fair speed  and
a bit of looseness are what you are really after.


F2/CFX Boards;North Sails/Rigs;True Ames/Rainbow; SpeedTech .