With its fresh new look - at least as far as the colour scheme is concerned - the GA-Sails Hybrid looks pretty solid despite its high monofilament content. As a special feature, the Hybrid is equipped with four to six battens depending on the size, which seems appropriate given the range of 3.7 to 8.2 square metres on offer. The outline changes significantly between the four-, five- and six-batten models: the lower leech is cut out high in the smaller sizes and then flared out wide from 6.7 square metres, optimising it for waves, freemove or freeride.
Successful freemove compromise
The tested 6.0 with five battens should embody the hybrid idea most clearly. This also corresponds to our test experience, as the sail with only a slightly visible profile on land and the moderately flared lower leech offers a successful compromise between manoeuvring qualities and a neutral freeride feeling when heating up. Not only does it feel light and agile in the hand, it is also easy to put down on the board and doesn't feel lame or boring even on long strokes. Even in gusts, the GA-Sails Hybrid remains good and neutrally controllable, even if it can't match the stability of a GunSails Torro and the centre of effort has to be held in check with the rear hand in heavy gusts. On the other hand, it feels more playful and motivates you to manoeuvre more than a completely "locked" freeride drive.
The RDM mast, which is thinner than the Pilot, complies exactly with the carbon limit specified in the surf test, is by far the lightest mast and supports the playful handling. The lower battens only have minimal contact with the mast and hardly rotate noticeably during manoeuvres, even with heli tacks or 360s the batten travel is very short, with a GunSails Torro you have to be prepared for a comparatively stronger jerk during manoeuvres with a back phase. The GA-Sails Hybrid not only pulls into the jibe with good vapour, but also shifts quickly and accelerates again immediately after sheeting in. It is not the lightest jibe sail, but is just behind Convert and Atlas in the top three.
Surf summary of the GA-Sails Hybrid
The GA-Sails Hybrid in five-batten design offers a successful mix for freemove sessions in any area: light and agile in all classic manoeuvres, but also suitable for heating and jibing. Attention: The characteristics probably cannot be transferred to the four- or six-batten variants.
Light, agile, manoeuvrable; planing
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Technical data GA-Sails Hybrid HD 6.0
- Sail weight: 3.85 kg*
- Mast weight: 1.75 kg*
- Sleeve opening: 109 - 156.5 cm*
- Mast used: GA Masts 80 RDM 430; Price: 599 Euro
- Price: 839 Euro
- Info under: ga-windsurfing.com
*surf measurement
