Kontrol 2006 (Slalom/Freeride)

Targeted at slalom and freeride sailors looking for performance and speed, this no cam sail takes its pedigree from the Koncept/Formula.

For 2006 the Konrol has had a complete going over. Some of the changes are:

• 'S' curve leach for improved dynamics.
• Less extreme angle on upper battens for easier rolling
• Slightly shorter luff and boom on smaller sizes
• Wider sock and slightly less low luff curve for better rotation.
• Molded tack protector.

What riders say about the 2005 Kontrol:

Bart Goemans, Windhouse Texel, Holland:
Yesterday I got to surf the Kontrol 7.8 for the first time (with Lorch Breeze S white line / 44 cm Hurricane SRA). The KA blew me away! We drag-raced on the open sea from the southtip of Texel to the North and back (75 km) with 15 - 21 knots of offshore wind with a slight upwind leg and a half/downwind leg back. Upwind it was a bit difficult keeping up with a 8.4 RS4 NP / Hypersonic 105, but on our way back half/downwind the speed & control was just incredible and I just accelerated far out of reach. So much speed: the other guys were looking for the cambers! They could NOT believe there are none.
I am very very looking forward to the Koncept now!!!!


Isabelle, California:
I used the Kontrol 7.2 with my formula board yesterday and I'm completely stoked!!! This sail is awesome man! So powerful, yet light and easy to control! This is the best sail I've ever used in that category! I'll spread the word on these sails. We have one guy in Petaluma who will start selling them this season. I meet a Swede guy who's sailing a 5.8 Kult in Waddell and he praised it at length. I can't wait to get mine out on the water! I'm really glad I bought them!!! Have a good one!

Philip Purcell, Canberra, Australia:
My 7.8m Kontrol is the 2005 model. On the water this sail proves to be well balanced on all points of sailing and in the transitions. The Kontrol invites the rider to use the outboard straps on the wide syle free-race board that I use. Power take up is immediate and the sail is solid in conditions that I previously would have used a cambered 6.5m. It points high upwind and when sailing downwind in the apparent wind the sail retains its solid feel and asks for more!

This sail really appreciates some experimenting to find the sweet spot settings for the combination of gear (mast and extension, boom etc) with regard to downhaul, outhaul, batten tension, boom height and mast foot position. Once the sweet spot is found, that batten below the boom will rotate easily with a shake of the sail - just like my more expensive cambered sails.

The magic downhaul setting for my rig is spot on the spec. printed on the sail. With this saill I have learnt to run a higher boom than previously, with a better stance to drive the board and earlier planning. These lessons translated to my cambered sails.

The KA 'wide boom' I am sure contributes to the performance of the whole rig because when used with the cambered sails the combination appears particularly well balanced. For me this lays to rest the argument that wide booms are not beneficial other than for Formula sized sails. The geometry of the wide boom intuitatively suggests it will balance better in the hands. The built in pulley system is really useful when teamed with the adjustable outhaul system. The mast tie-off is dead simple to dial up the right tension.

In summary the KA Kontrol and wide boom offer extraordinary bang for the buck and fun sailing.

Size	Luff	Max Boom	Recommended Mast	Alternative Mast	Battens	Cams	Weight (kgs)
5.9	451	188	430/21	-	7	0	3.5
6.6	466	201	460/25	430/21	7	0	3.6
7.2	479	212	460/25	-	7	0	3.8
7.8	492	222	460/25	490/29	7	0	4.0
8.4	503	232	490/29	-	7	0	4.2

Kristian Sexton riding the 2006 Kontrol in Hawaii. Photo © Francis Brewer.