If you are looking for a sail for finsurfing and foiling, a classic windsurfing sail from wave to freestyle to race is, in our extensive experience, not a bad choice. Special foil sails, on the other hand, are no longer really suitable for windsurfing with a fin. This is because the designers take some of the previous requirements out of focus during development - and new, characteristic features of foil sails, such as a very widely flared foot, are a real obstacle in manoeuvres when fin surfing.
The GA Air Ride 5.7 in the surf test
In our test, theGA Air Ride 5.7The sail convinces as a light and planing sail when used purely for foiling. The setup is uncomplicated, with moderate trim forces. The right trim is quickly found, the range is quite large - so that the sail is difficult to trim. On the water, the Air Ride builds up so much pull, even in the 5.7 square metre size, that with a large foil (here Starboard Supercruiser) and some pumping support, the foil fun begins when you still have to pull up the really big sails for planing surfing. The pressure point is a little further forward/up, which translates well into pressure on the front wing. The range of the sail is sufficiently large, above all it seems very light despite its good belly.
"I developed the Air Ride so that you can ride the smallest possible sail," confirms GA developer Peter Munzlinger, also when asked about our impressions. "The sail has less loose leech between the two top battens up to the centre of the sail and more luff curve than the GA Hybrid windsurf sail, for example."
With the right trim - i.e. moderate on the luff and a little more vigour on the clew - the sail offers enough power and control for playful freeride foiling even in light winds with very good sailing characteristics (flying on in wind holes, which used to be known as planing).
surf conclusion:A lightweight foil sail for unadulterated light wind fun through to sporty freeriding on the foil.
GA Phantom Air 6.7 surf test
A whole lot sportier was theGA Phantom Air 6.7in the test. Despite three cambers, the assembly is easy - if you follow the correct sequence. It is more challenging to find the right trim. You have to fiddle around a bit, because the flat sail is not super stable in every trim. "I made it flatter than the normal Phantom, which has too much lateral force for foiling," says the designer. Once you have found the perfect trim, it is easy to pump, the profile is not too rigid and builds up good pull. Blocks for a trim device are attached to the clew, which is recommended for this type of sail to keep control in a good range in stronger winds.
The sail convinces with a lot of speed, light sail feel - and measured by the wide mast pocket and the three cambers - with good jibe handling.
surf conclusion: The Phantom Air always requires fast foils and an experienced foiler, who can then elicit the sail's very good performance in light to medium winds.
