DUOTONE Super_Hero SLS 2024

For us this dream started 4 years ago - unlocking the freedom to create a sail unlike anything before.

We wanted:

- Maximum wind range through better low end power but without any sacrifice in high-end control.

- Ultralight weight in your hands (= sailing weight)

- A sustainable sail without any sacrifices in durability/longevity

But all three of these wishes contradict one another, and thus the reason we have dedicated 4 years of pure development into this one sail.

The result is magical. The SUPER_HERO SLS gives you the freedom to ride with your style. A direct connection to your sail, thanks to the lightning fast reflex reaction of our new fusion technology. Be careful though that your sail does not think faster than you do now!

SAIL DESIGN

Sail designing consists of 3 factors: the SAIL SHAPING, the TECHNOLOGY and the MATERIALS used to convert that shaping into a physical product.

Initially we focused on the SAIL SHAPING concept.

This shaping concept is the culmination of over a decade of development with both the SUPER_HERO and the SUPER_STAR – combining the best aspects of both sails. Because we are fulfilling all our windsurfing wishes, we designed a SIZE-SPECIFIC DRAFT LOCATION.

Just think about your own experiences:

- The smaller the sail gets, the more important control becomes.

- Conversely, the bigger the sail, the more important planing performance and light weight feeling become.

> Therefore, the smaller sizes up to 4.5 have a low and centred draft position, similar to the original SUPER_HERO, which gives you maximum control and neutrality, especially when conditions get rough.

> However, from sizes 5.0 and bigger, the draft position gets gradually shifted slightly up and forward from size to size. Thus, the 5.7 ended up with a draft position quite similar to that of the SUPER_STAR. The higher draft lifts the board, improving planing performance. It also makes the sail feel even lighter in your hands, which is especially important to compensate for the increased physical weight that larger sails come with.

Once the concept was decided, the next step was finding a suitable TECHNOLOGY for this ultimate wave sail. 

With the brand new MONOCOQUE FUSION BODY we were finally able to eliminate all stitched body panels.

Compared to the stitched SUPER_STAR SLS, this leads to the following advantages:

1. Additional weight reduction of 150-200g

2. The whole sail works as one unit, as any kind of “play” between the panels is eliminated. This results in a more efficient sail (= bigger wind range) and a more responsive/reactive sail (= lighter in your hands)

3. Stronger: machine tear tests prove that the thickest monofilms and even Dyneema or Kevlar reinforced laminates tear before the fusion bonding gives up.

The final step was then to define the MATERIALS.

Fortunately, with the SUPER_STAR SLS we had already found the ultimate material mix.

Cause with this sail we solved 2 issues you get with other ultralight sails:

1. Ultralight without becoming spongy

Technora/Dyneema and Kevlar have a high tear strength, but are not very stiff (only similar stiffness to Polyester). Therefore, if being reduced in thickness to save weight (membrane and laminated or composite sails), these sails tend to become quite spongy and dull to ride. This sponginess results in a less efficient sail with a reduced wind range (especially when overpowered). Also, a spongy sail feels heavier in your hands (= sailing weight) “eating up” much of the physical weight advantage. Carbon, on the other hand, is approx. 3-4 times stiffer than Technora/Dyneema and Kevlar. Using our INTELLIGENT CARBON XPLY CONSTRUCTION we have found the ideal balance. The CARBON XPLY in the high load clew area improves the load distribution onto the batten above the boom. The CARBON XPLY reinforcements from the top to batten 2 and the tack to the foot batten guarantee unsurpassed low stretch and power transmission. However, the slightly more (re)flexing regular XPly in the body avoids the power from becoming uncontrollable. On the water this opens up a whole new chapter: with regular sails the increments between the sizes are usually around 0.5 sqm. With the SUPER_HERO SLS though you can easily go from a 5.3 to a 4.5, for example.

2. Ultralight without any sacrifice on durability

Also, less body skin thickness automatically reduces wear resistance and longevity in general. No matter which kind of high-tech materials you use, reducing the thickness will always either result in a spongy and/or less durable product. These are the reasons why reducing the weight the easy way by just reducing the skin thickness has never been an option for us - because all our products are designed and engineered according to our motto “LIGHT DONE RIGHT”.

We back this up with our unique 5 YEAR WARRANTY, something no other brand is able to offer. Combining all these advantages has never been achieved before.

Using the SUPER_HERO SLS for the first time it feels as if your body becomes united with the sail and you are truly connected with the waves. The lightning quick reflex reactions without any sacrifice in control is a real game changer, so much so, all of our Pro Team will be using the SUPER_HERO SLS in 2024.

Please note: after intensive uv radiation, the fusion bonding may take on a yellowish tint. Extensive lab and water tests confirm that this is purely aesthetic and has no influence on the mechanical properties/strength. That's why this is excluded from the warranty.