Was out sailing today at Pt Leo in Victoria. I think there were about 15 sailors and only one had a pryde sail? Is this a pattern elsewhere or was it just one of those days? Is it the wave crew have moved away from Prydes? It used to be the other way around !
- lots of Severne's, Goya's and Naish's
Interesting observation. I think a while ago Pryde's were well ahead of the pack (especially in build quality), and that justified their steeper costs. But most brands have caught up - lots performing just as well, some better. When Aussie design lofts are cranking out some great sails for less sheckles, I like to support them.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing the brand - my quiver still has Pryde in it - but on our local, there's no obvious dominant brand like there would have been ten years ago. And that's a good thing for the consumer.
Yesterday, I sailed just a couple of K's down from Pt Leo, at Pines.
3 of us were out and we were all on Prydes. (alpha, atlas, combat)
Later on another 2 guys came out and 1 of them had a Pryde also.
Overall, 4/5 were on Prydes.
Having said that, I reckon that we are seeing more of the other brands around that can be mixed with any constant curved masts. (ie not so mast specific as the Prydes which need the softer tip)
Second thought - I wonder how much the internets has to do with this? Once upon a time the only real option was to go to your local shop and buy from there. These shops usually are retailers for only a few brands.
With the wonders (and the horrors) of the internets, a lot of people seem to be ordering online these days - which opens up your options.
Just took delivery of 4 new 2012 NP Atlas wave sails to replace my 2011 Atlas line up. I'm a Pryde fan through and through and can't see myself switching anytime soon. There appears to be less Pryde riders around with more and more Severne sails turning up at Gerroa every time I hit the water. I think like others have said the other brands are good and are getting easier to get hold of at the price is right. Pryde are defiantly on the expensive side but I think that they are worth it for their warranty alone, I've been looked after on several occasions without compromise. When I started out I was sold Pryde and that's what I know and love.....Who knows, Maybe if my local dealer sold Severne I would be riding them.
But if Ben wants to send me a quiver of sails I'd happily switch to Severne.
Have used Pryde sails for 20+ years and still own some Atlas etc but have recently destroyed a significant amount of Pryde gear so thought I would change over to Severne Blades and am very happy with them....
I think the real question is if we are discussing why there may be less NP sails now - where's Barn? 
barn like a bawse :D
I can't honestly believe anyone ever bought Pryde because of their build quality? I mean they look 'schmick' but i've seen a lot of Pryde sails fall apart in ways they shouldn't over their years, in the quality department brands like Ezzy and Simmer put them to shame. As Jase says though their warranty is probably second to none, but then again that department gets a lot of practice ;)
Severne have definitely made huge inroads, certainly around where I sail. I think this is solely on the back of the performance of their sails (can only comment on wave gear). Their stuff is way lighter, cheaper and performs better than their main competitors, it's a no brainer*.
*I'm not sponsored by them, buy all my own gear but switched to Severne this season for the aforementioned reasons.
