On the one hand, seven flat battens characterise the GA as a more performance-oriented freeride sail - judging by the number of battens. On the other hand, the very flat profile on land speaks for good handling and manoeuvrability. GA-Sails has indeed skilfully implemented this balancing act in a sail that is more in the group of classic freeride sails with six battens than the often more pre-profiled seven-batten sails, as Point-7 or Gunsails interpret the concept.
The neatly equipped sail conceals the large mono film with its white colouring, which also makes a solid visual impression. The mast cut-out is set higher than average in the sail. The protector is well padded at the sides and easy to fold, the lower batten and lower leech are protected by rubber panelling that has been pulled up to the clew eyelet. Two eyelets allow adjustment for power or control or different body sizes. The optical trim aids for the luff trim are easy to recognise.
"Fluff" instead of "bang" in manoeuvres
With very little effort, the sail can be set up in such a way that the battens move sideways past the mast without pressure and the sail can pull itself completely flat. This ensures neutral behaviour when planing: Even in gusty winds, the sail does not tug unexpectedly on the hands or turn suddenly, as heavily pre-profiled sails often do. With a little wind pressure, however, a nice profile forms and the sail achieves very good performance in a single trim in a wide wind range. On the 100 per cent mast, it is significantly less sensitive to trim than previous Matrix sails in the test. It also impresses in changing winds with calm handling behaviour without having to be re-trimmed.
On the beach, the sail doesn't seem particularly light, but in manoeuvres it is almost playful in the hand. The flat shape allows it to rotate neutrally and without any disturbing pull - even if the battens have to slide quite far around the mast, this is done gently and smoothly with a quiet "fluff" instead of a proper "bang" like the Gunsails.
Surf summary of the GA Sails Matrix 7.2
Easy to surf, stable sail with balanced performance and very neutral handling when planing and manoeuvring.
Neutral handling, balanced
High sleeve opening
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Technical data GA Sails Matrix 7.2
- Sail weight: 4.54 kg
- Sleeve opening: 120-167 cm
- Mast used: GA-Masts 100 SDM 460; 839 Euro
- Mast weight: 1.92 kg
- Price: 959 Euro
- Info under ga-windsurfing.com
all data measured by surf
