SPOTLIGHT 95
Locked and loaded
Duotone S-Type SL 8.3m 2019
Info: www.duotonesports.com/windsurfing/sails/s-type-sl/ Price: £719
WORDS: WINDSURFING UK PICS: JAMES JAGGER
THE 2019 S-TYPE 8.3M IS THE SECOND SAIL FROM RECENTLY RE-
BRANDED COMPANY DUOTONE. BILLED AS A SUPER VERSATILE
PRODUCT THE S-TYPE IS SAID TO FIT RACING, FREERIDE AND
FOILING DISCIPLINES WHILST REMAINING EASY ACCESS FOR
EVERYDAY RIDERS.
Out the bag and the CO2 blue/white
livery is actually our favourite. It therefore
looks the bee’s knees with lots of
features and attention to detail is top
notch. Something often missed is
Duotone (formerly North) are actually a
very innovative windsurfing brand. This is
proved once again when looking at the
cam options for the S-Type. Being able
to switch between x3 and x2 cams, to
give different performance features, is
pretty nifty. We tried in both forms but
found that the twin cam option was best
suited for the conditions we
encountered.
Although the 8.3m is an early planing
machine (we could actually plane no
probs in just over 12 knots), it does like
a bit of gas in the tank. When the wind
ramps up the S-Type 8.3m really comes
alive. You’ll need to tune the sail
accordingly but with increased down and
outhaul the sail gives an efficient
experience and doesn’t bend riders out
of shape even when stronger gusts hit.
As such it’s smooth and stress free.
Round corners it’s easy to spill power
should you need to but equally it’s
straight forward to yank back on the
throttle and zoom out of gybing exits.
There’s certainly no issue with sailors
using the S-Type for a spot of slalom
racing as the S-Type 8.3m would hold its
own, and being slightly less technical
would arguably deliver better end results.
Conclusion
The S-Type’s easy going nature
belies just how much performance
you can squeeze out of this sail. For
sure, use as an early planing piece
of kit in lighter winds, but also don’t
miss just how electric the 8.3m
becomes with more wind. Locked
and loaded it flies and will power
even the most stubborn of boards
to their optimum. Features such as
the innovative Switch Cam system
lend even more usability to an
already high quality product.
uk
WIND
SURFING