The manufacturer Patrik has designed the 3-Micro model in five sizes from 2.0 to 4.4 square metres especially for the needs of children and teenagers. We tested the 2.6 square metre size and discovered a lot of positive things.
On land
At Patrik, you don't buy a complete set, but assemble the rig using individual components, which are then also suitable for other sail sizes. The 3-Micro 2.6 has three battens and makes a very solid and high-quality impression right from the first assembly: the top area is made of light but robust grid material and the stress area below the boom is also thick. The batten ends and the sail top are protected against abrasion by additional Kevlar patches and the mast protector is also well padded, long enough and can be folded up nicely for rigging.
Ideally, the 3-Micro is rigged on the Patrik 3-Micro RDM mast with a length of 300 centimetres. This has a carbon content of 60 per cent and is extremely light, weighing just 960 grams. The Aluminium Micro The boom has an adapted thin diameter, so even small children's hands can grip it with ease. Apart from that, the boom looks absolutely high quality: the spars are comparatively stiff, the back end is tried and tested and the large folding lock can be easily and, above all, firmly folded onto the mast thanks to a good gear ratio. Once rigged, the Patrik 3-Micro basically stands like an adult sail - with a defined profile and fully-fledged features.
On the water
The fact that Patrik's mast and boom are very light is noticeable from the very first catch-up and continues when cruising and during the first manoeuvres. With its large Dacron sheet in the luff and in combination with the softly tuned mast, the 3-Micro has a low profile even in light winds, which ensures good propulsion. The sail is pleasantly balanced in the hand, and even without sophisticated technology it is easy to find the right angle of attack to the wind, allowing you to reach the right speed early on. The transition to planing is harmonious and easy with the 3-Micro. When planing, the sail acts almost like an adult sail - and this is meant in an exclusively positive way: it twists efficiently at the top and releases excess power in a controlled manner, which ensures a large wind range and consistently good handling over a wide wind range. Even when fully powered up, the sail does not warp and the centre of effort remains defined between the hands. The manoeuvre handling is also at a very high level, regardless of whether you are practising your first tack and jibes or whether you already have planing manoeuvres and tricks on your agenda.
Patrik 3-Micro - the conclusion
The 3-Micro is one of the best windsurf sails for children on the market. You can tell that the sail and the associated components are not just smaller scaled products for adults, but that they have been specially adapted to the requirements of children. Handling, performance and range of use are at a very high level, as is the equipment. This makes the Patrik 3-Micro a tip for windsurfing beginners and future World Cup kids.
Equipment; Sliding; Equipment
Technical data Patrik 3-Micro 2.6
- Weights (own measurement): Sail 2.00 kg // Mast 0.96 kg // Boom 1.59 kg
- Mast: Patrik Micro Mast RDM 300 (60% Carbon; 169 Euro)
- boom: Patrik Alu Micro Boom 100-150 cm (179 Euro)
- Scope of delivery: Sail
- Price (test model): 479 Euro
- Info under patrikinternational.com
