Rumours about the new Gaastra sail range can finally be put to bed. The Manic, Poison, Echo and Remedy all get a restyling for 2007.
We have already seen a couple of shots from the recent Costa Brava / Guicho event which showed Matt Pritchard in hot pursuit of his brother using next years sails. But here are details hot of the press from Gaastra.
Over to Dan Kaseler...
Gaastra takes it to an exciting new level for 2007. Our team and R&D department were ruthless, putting every pattern through an onslaught of testing in every condition imaginable. For 2007, durability was made a priority alongside performance. Every sail in the lineup features an increase in bomber Dimension Polyant X-Ply™.
We introduce two new Twin-Stripe colors, both semi-transparent for rider visibility, and add a clear X-Ply™ for those key upper window areas. All panel layouts were driven first by technology and function. Take a close look, and you will see all our primary seams radiate out from the head, tack, or clew following our proven Tri-Radial Lock Shape Concept, providing maximum strength at a minimum weight.
Further, all luff curves and shaping profiles were prototyped, re-cut, and re-sampled until we found the perfect balance between rig elasticity and stability. It is this technical design, and our scientific approach that allows us to offer the best sails in the world.
Comparison Chart
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Style |
Battens |
Elasticity |
Luff Panel |
Clew Height |
Boom Length |
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Gaastra Manic |
Wave |
5 |
Free |
Dacron |
Lower |
Shorter |
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Gaastra Poison |
PowerWave |
5 |
Powerful |
X-Ply™ |
Medium |
Longer |
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Gaastra Echo |
Freestyle |
5 |
Medium |
Dacron |
Medium |
Medium |
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Gaastra Remedy |
SuperCross |
6 |
Medium |
X-Ply™ |
Medium |
Medium |
“Windsurfing is our passion. Together with our outstanding team everything has been analyzed and fine-tuned to squeeze out every last drop of performance. Give these sails a rip and check it out for yourself.”--Dan Kaseler
“I have been working quite a lot with Dan over the past 2 seasons and we have uncovered some incredible performance gains. For 2007 we took it to a new level and have all the bases covered. I have worked with a lot of designers on fins, boards, masts and everything else windsurfing related- Dan continues to impress me with his understanding of what it takes to make a rig feel like it should. I’m shooting for another strong season and knowing that I have the best sails in the world is a good start!” -- Head Windsurf Tester, Matt Pritchard
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New Twin Stripe-X colours
New 5mil semi-transparent red and orange give style without fully obstructing rider’s vision.
New Clear-X
Beefs up our already bombproof panel layouts.
White Teijin 8083 Sock Material
Superior high tech Japanese sock material gives excellent durability and will not absorb water.
Improved thermo-form tack fairing
Updated, aerodynamic fairing with integral rig handle and uphaul cutout, saves boards and feet.
Evolved Tri-Radial Panel Layouts
Body seams radiate out from the three corners, running parallel to load contours for maximum strength, minimum weight.
Increased Clew Patch Layering
- an extra heavy 6.0 oz Dacron layer ensures clew grommets stay put. |
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Returning Features & Benefits |
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Fold-Back Tack Patching
Zero stitch patching below foot batten eliminates unnecessary seam wear.
Flat Mini Battens
Extra flat composite mini battens eliminate destructive leech flutter.
V-Back Batten Pockets
Provide even batten loading and superior anti-chaff protection.
Hidden Batten End Stoppers
Provide a clean aerodynamic entry.
Super Protected Sock Stitching
All luff sock stitching protected inside and out.
Roller Tack Pulley
Easy-roll wheels make downhauling a snap. |
Composite Tube Battens
Precision tapered multi-part battens provide a rock-solid skeleton.
Jelly Foot and Seam Beads
Eliminate all foot seams chaffing from deck of boards.
Double Fold Foot Tabling
Guarantees no fraying cloth along edge of foot.
Strap-On
Integral to Thermo-Mold Tack Fairing, keeps sails tidy when rolled.
5-String Kevlar Reinforcements
No-stretch structure elements lock sail shape low and forward.
Tab-In Clew Grommets
Webbing tab gives grommets ultimate strength under load. |
More info: www.gaastra.com
