Rig Control on the Edge SDM or RDM?

cgoudie1 · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 3:26 pm Post subject:

Seems like you've answered your own question then.

I like RDMs up to about 6.6, then I find them 'noodly, scary
and unstable when overpowered and difficult to plan up on"

There were a bunch of repies about the right sail for with
the right mast. Maybe they're making 490 and 520 RDMs now,
but I don't think any sail makers are recommending them in their 8-10M sails.

-Craig

KevinDo · Joined: 02 Jul 2012 Posts: 426 Location: Cabrillo Inside

kirk · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 158

I agree with Mike/Iso except I put "not breaking" as #1 since I'm often sailing 3 to 4 miles from shore while I don't think the Gorge gets that wide but he may sail that far from shore in Baja...

I've only sailed my new 5.6 and 6.6 Huckers so far with the RDM Sailworks/NoLimitz Twill/5.6 and RDM NoLimitz FAST/6.6 combination as recommended by Sailworks and WOW do I like how they handle. I had a hard time believing how much control I had with high 20 MPH wind gusts with average in low 20s using the 6.6 when I came in and checked the wind.... easily 5.6 wind range and I was fine.

I have RDM Sumo's for 4.5 Retro and 4.8 Hucker but haven't sailed either yet....

BTW, I'm 220# and we (Rebecca at Boardsports and I) checked with Bruce Pederson at Sailworks before buying masts to make sure I had the right mast for the sails. I believe the mast for the 6.6 wasn't yet recommended on their website when I got it. but after sailing just a few times, I'm really impressed.

I used a different 460 RDM mast with a 6.5 Sailworks Retro the last couple of years (before it was all stolen this winter) and Bruce (at Sailworks) wasn't really happy with that choice but I wanted Bomb Proof as I often break stuff on my 6.5. Maybe that is why he designed the newer sails and RDM masts to work well together as many others wanted the same. Of course, all along he said the Huckers have more top end but I have to think using them with the right mast helps get it.