Wave sails: Fancy features, large wind range - the Patrik 4-Wave LTD in the test
Manuel Vogel
· 28.06.2025
Exciting functions on the outhaul and mast sleeve
The new 4-Wave Ltd from Patrik is based on its stablemate 4-Wave in terms of outline and profile, but is not comparable in terms of material composition and built-in features. The model is available in seven sizes from 3.2 to 5.6 square metres. The sail is rigged on a 370 RDM mast. The luff trim is easy to find, the sail is ideally adjusted when the loose leech reaches up to the diagonal seam in the sail top. It is noticeable here: The mast sleeve is cut quite tight and the trim forces are slightly higher than average. The trimming options on the outhaul are very special, as the Patrik 4-Wave Ltd has a special feature here - known internally as "Adaptive Wind Release".
This allows a ring to be unhooked from the outhaul, allowing the leech to twist more freely. The sail is also very special in the boom cut-out area: this is segmented, so the cut-out can be set very small. The aim is for the sail to have a much more direct effect and to have an ideal airflow in this area. Contrary to our fears, the segmentation hardly interferes when threading the mast. Apart from the features mentioned above, the 4-Wave Ltd is also impressive in terms of its standard features: The protector is well padded, the materials used appear to be of high quality and well made and the sail weight of our 4.4 test size is also absolutely appealing at a measured 2.98 kilos.
Patrik 4-Wave Ltd with two faces
We were able to try out the 4-Wave Ltd for two days. With the leech closed - the ring on the outhaul is hooked in - the sail offers a similarly powerful ride as the 4-Wave. The 4-Wave Ltd takes gusts well, is stable in the hands with its rather long boom and scores with above-average planing power. The sail also stands out very positively in terms of control, because in contrast to the 4-Wave models of earlier generations, the 4-Wave Ltd retains the light sail feeling over a large wind range - so it doesn't feel baggy and releases the steam well in strong gusts. The bottom line is that the sail in this setup still conveys more of a power feeling, with a rich basic pull on the straight and in the bottom turn.
If you unhook the ring on the leech, the feel of the sail changes noticeably: the planing power remains almost the same, but the leech now twists more freely and the centre of effort moves a few centimetres forwards - you can also feel it because you have to move the harness lines slightly forwards. The 4-Wave Ltd is now noticeably more agile when rotating and shifting, the noticeable ground pull on the back hand is significantly less and the sail now encourages even more tricks and wave moves when riding the waves. However, which setup you choose is less a question of better or worse and more a matter of taste.
Speaking of "wave riding": The 4-Wave Ltd is generally in the powerwave category, it pulls into the turn with a lot of drive and even in front of lazy Baltic Sea waves it offers enough propulsion to bring the speed up to the wave lip. Fortunately, it combines this with a nice on-off characteristic, because the profile disappears as soon as you flatten the sail in the bottom turn. One small drawback is the visibility to leeward, which is somewhat limited by the narrow barred sail window.
Patrik 4-Wave LTD - the conclusion
The Patrik 4-Wave Ltd scores as a very complete all-round sail with plenty of planing power, excellent control and responsive handling over a wide wind range. Thanks to the tuning options, you can easily customise the characteristics to suit your own preferences.
Power; control; tuning options
View to leeward
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Patrik 4-Wave LTD - technical data
- Sizes: 3,2/3,6/4,0/4,4/4,8/5,2/5,6 m2
- Luff: 337/358/374/388/403/419/432 cm
- Boom: 137/143/149/157/163/169/170 cm
- Price: 879 Euro
- Info under Patrikinternational.com
