July 2008 - Neil Pryde 2009 Early Release / V8 Helium Sail The Neil Pryde design centre was tasked with producing a sail to deliver more power and early planing than ever before to significantly reduce the rig size required for use in light winds! The result is the new V8 Helium! Target Users: If you like to get out onto the water as often as possible planing backwards and forwards with minimal effort, in winds as light as a typical force 3-4, then the Helium is definitely a sail you should be looking at! How It Works? The sail has been cut with a very deep yet stable profile and next-to-no pre-set twist, this allows for significant lift equivalent to that of a much larger sail. Although there are three sizes in the range, each is developed for the same wind condition, it's simply a case of matching the size to your own weight requirements. Generally lighter riders will find themselves able to plane in a F3-4 with just the 6.5m, whereas heavier riders, say over 85kg, would require the 8.5m size to achieve the same. Technological Performance: The combination of Neil Pryde's exclusive Ultra Cam system and Matrix masts with Progressive Flex technology are both key to making the Helium stable across a wide range of use - it would not be possible to offer such a sail without them... Ultra Cam's are driven by the tension of the batten so the deep profile is very rigid with no centre of effort movement. These cams de-pressurise throughout transitions allowing the rotation to remain smooth, it's therefore easy to fly around tacks and gybes without any interruption required to fight with the flip. When the Helium is loaded by a gust or when the board impacts a chop, the Progressive Flex mast deflects as much as necessary from the top down, thus allowing the leech to open and exhaust only as and when necessary, without compromising the core power delivery and shape stability low down. The result is a very positive constant drive that has to be experienced to be believed, and if you do get caught out in stronger winds it's still possible to return to shore without too many issues... S / 6.5m     = Approx 8m   M / 7.5m     = Approx 9m   L / 8.5m     = Approx 10m Board     = 105-120l   Board     = 120-135l   Board     = 130-150l       = 65-70cm         = 67-75cm         = 70-80cm Fin     = 36-42cm   Fin     = 38-46cm   Fin     = 42-50cm Important: If you usually use a 9m as your largest sail, the Helium 7.5m would offer a similar planing ability. Do not therefore plan your quiver on the basis of the stated size, instead choose the Helium you need for a F3-4, then your next sail down should match what you'd normally use for powered-up F4 conditions and above! Summary Advantages: Allows planing with a much smaller (& lighter) rig size than normal, consequentially a smaller board and fin can be used so more fun & better for manoeuvres. Disadvantages: Slightly more positive pull in stronger wind gusts, not as quick as a flatter pre-twisted sail, that most notable when well powered. Be sure to view our Helium films - see both the action and information movies - and find specific product information in the shop here.