At GA Sails, the term ‘Continuous Panel Layout’ refers to a new design concept in which the individual sail panels are assembled in line with the natural distribution of forces within the sail. Among other things, this is intended to reduce the strain on the seams. The concept has been implemented in both wave models – the Boost and the Manic.
On land
The Boost has five battens in all sizes, a slightly longer boom and a longer luff length than the Manic. Generally speaking, both test models in size 4.7 still work on a 370 mast, although the Boost requires a long 34 extension. The top of the Boost has been kept slightly slimmer; right from the first trim, you notice that this model needs more tension on the luff to take shape. Overall, this profile is visibly pre-defined, whilst the battens on the Manic lie almost flat and only form a visible profile when pressure from the wind is applied. On both sails, carbon threads run along the direction of pull up to the head; the protector is as tried-and-tested as it is flawless – it’s long enough and folds up easily. Both sails have two clew eyes, though these are positioned very close together, which is why the tuning effect (upper eye = more power; lower eye = more twist/control) is limited.
GA Sails Boost: Consistent power with autopilot
The Boost is a good example of how the weight shown on the scales does not necessarily correspond to the weight you feel. At 3.42 kilos, it’s not exactly a lightweight on paper. However, because it’s so well-balanced and feels stable in your hands, the grip when launching and gliding is thoroughly impressive. The sail practically adjusts its angle to the wind all by itself. Even when heavier riders pump the sail, it never feels spongy or unstable. The result is excellent gliding performance – closing in, accelerating and launching into your first jump straight away – all of which the Boost handles very well. Even in strong gusts, the pressure point remains absolutely reliable between your hands.
The power characteristics carry on seamlessly along the wave: the Boost acts as a booster for any sluggish bottom turn, always providing a bit of drive on the back hand and generating enough propulsion to reach the wave lip at speed, even on waves with little pressure. As such, the sail is better suited to a powerful riding style than delicate manoeuvres – it’s certainly not one of the absolute lightweights. Nor should you expect pronounced off-wind characteristics from the Boost.
GA Sails Manic: An agile surfing feel
In comparison, the Manic feels a little more technical when getting started; the ideal angle of attack needs to be set with greater precision, but with the right gliding technique, you can get the Manic up to speed just as easily. For use in lighter winds, we’d recommend trimming the sail only moderately via the trim line, so as not to further weaken the profile, which is already rather flat. During manoeuvres, the Manic feels noticeably more agile; when fully inflated, the profile flattens out immediately and offers significantly more off-wind performance than the Boost. This characteristic also carries over to wave riding: the Manic builds up good pull on the wave face. As soon as you commit to the bottom turn, the profile flattens out – so rather than power wave riding, you get more of a surfing feel here.
surf’s verdict on the GA Sails Boost and GA Sails Manic
The GA Sails Boost really stands out for its glide, control and a wide wind range, which largely eliminates the need for re-trimming. If you’re looking for a powerful wave sail for surf and bump & jump, this is the one for you. In comparison, the Manic feels significantly more playful, more neutral and a little easier to manoeuvre. This makes it a hit with wave surfers looking for a sail for powerful waves or who also want to do a bit of freestyle with it.
Technical Specifications GA Sails Manic
- Sizes: 3.0/3.3/3.7/4.0/4.2/4.5/ 4.7/5.0/5.4/5.8 square metres
- Luff: 325/336/358/372/380/392/400/410/424/436 cm
- Fork: 140/145/149/153/158/162/168/174/182 cm
- Price: 969 euros (size 4.7)
Technical Specifications: GA Sails Boost
- Sizes 3.3/3.7/4.2/4.5/4.7/5.0/5.3/5.8/6.2 square metres
- Luff 343/364/384/396/403/415/424/439/448 cm
- Fork 138/143/154/159/163/169/176/183/186 cm
- Price 959 euros (size 4.7)
For more information, see ga-windsurfing.com
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
