DUOTONE SUPER_HERO SLS

For Duotone, this dream began 4 years ago: unlocking the freedom to create a candle unlike anything before.

We wanted:

• Maximum wind range through improved low-end power but without any sacrifice in high-end control
• Ultralight weight in the hands (= navigation weight)
• A sustainable candle without sacrificing durability/longevity

But these three desires contradict each other, and that's why we've dedicated 4 years of pure development to this wing.

The result is magical. The SUPER_HERO SLS gives you the freedom to ride in your own style. A direct connection with your wing, thanks to the ultra-fast reflex reaction of our new Fusion technology. Be careful, though, that your wing doesn't think faster than you do now.

CANDLE DESIGN

Sail design consists of three factors: SAIL SHAPE, TECHNOLOGY, and the MATERIALS used to turn that shape into a physical product. We initially focused on the SAIL SHAPE concept. This configuration concept is the culmination of over a decade of development with both the SUPER_HERO and SUPER_STAR, combining the best aspects of both sails. Because we're fulfilling all our windsurfing desires, we designed a SPECIFIC SIZE DRAFT LOCATION. Think about your own experiences:

• The smaller the sail, the more important control is.
• Conversely, the larger the sail, the more important planing performance and a light feel become.

Thus, the smaller sizes up to 4.5 have a low, centered draft position, similar to the original SUPER_HERO, giving you maximum control and neutrality, especially when conditions get rough. However, from sizes 5.0 and up, the draft position gradually shifts slightly upward and forward from one size to the next. Thus, the 5.7 ended up with a draft position quite similar to that of the SUPER_STAR. The higher draft raises the board, which improves planing performance. It also makes the sail feel even lighter in your hands, which is especially important to compensate for the greater physical weight that larger sails entail. Once the concept was decided upon, the next step was to find a suitable technology for this ultimate wave sail. With the new FUSION BODY MONOHULL, we were finally able to eliminate all stitched body panels. Compared to the stitched SLS SUPER_STAR, this brings the following advantages:

1. Additional weight reduction of 150-200 g
2. The entire sail works as a single unit, as any play between the panels is eliminated. This results in a more efficient sail (= greater wind range) and a more reactive sail (= lighter in your hands).
3. Stronger: Machine tear tests show that thicker monofilms and even Dyneema or Kevlar reinforced laminates break before the fusion bond gives way.

The final step was to define the materials. Fortunately, with the SUPER_STAR SLS, we had already found the ultimate blend of materials. With this sail, we've solved two problems you encounter with other ultralight sails:

1. Ultralight without being spongy, Technora/Dyneema and Kevlar have high tear strength, but are not very stiff (only a stiffness similar to that of polyester). Therefore, if their thickness is reduced to save weight (membrane and laminated or composite sails), these sails tend to become quite spongy and dull to sail. This sponginess results in a less efficient sail with a reduced wind range (especially when overpowered). In addition, a spongy sail feels heavier in the hands (=sailing weight), "eating" much of the physical weight advantage. Carbon, on the other hand, is approximately 3-4 times stiffer than Technora/Dyneema and Kevlar. Using our SMART CARBON XPLY CONSTRUCTION, we have found the ideal balance. The CARBON XPLY in the high-load sheet area improves load distribution on the batten above the boom. The CARBON XPLY reinforcements from the top to batten 2 and the adherence to the batten ensure unsurpassed low stretch and power transmission. However, the slightly more (re)flexible Regular XPly in the body prevents the power from becoming uncontrollable. On the water, this opens a whole new chapter: with regular sails, the increments between sizes are usually around 0.5 square meters. However, with the SUPER_HERO SLS you can easily go from a 5.3 to a 4.5, for example.