I need a cheapo 4.5 and saw a 2005 NP combat for sale - are they any good? And is there no clear monofilm - all reinforced?
ZED...I owned a 2005 combat 4.7 and currently own the 06 4.7. The sail is full xply and are of excellent quality...sure there would be stronger sails out there but the combats are strong enough. They are a very good allround sail with plenty of power and a great feel...i highly recommend them. If you are into a 2005 model im sure you would get a good price on it.
I won't change or upgrade my quiver because the 05 Combats are awesome best alround sail i have ever used. The newer models haven't changed a lot at all, its only graphic design which has changed. Mine, after a @#%#load beatings are still going strong.
Hey ZED, I noticed on the for sale section a 2005 4.7 combat for sale for $300. Thats a good price and it hasnt been used much so they reckon. I had the exact same one and it was an awesome sail until i destroyed it (due to my fault not the quality of its build).
I picked up an 05 4.7 Combat in average condition last summer to replace an 04 4.5 Gaastra Poison. The power delivery of the Combat felt a lot smoother than the Poison's with a much better top end to boot (very noticeable when overpowered), though the Poison did appear to have a bit more bottom end grunt. One thing I did notice was that the Combat appeared to work much better in moderate to strong winds when set a lot fuller than just about any other 4.7 I have used (have had many different 4.7's over the years), though I did flatten it off a lot when overpowered in 30 knots+.
Highly recommended!
its simple! there awsome sails. i got three. get your hands on one mate! especially for that price!! 
try you mast in first to make sure it rigs properly as the NP masts are slightly different bend curve. Rig it to specs, it takes plenty of downhaul and it will/should have a floppy leech with a good belly on it.
