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Gaastra Poison 5.4 2012

Gaastra Poison 5.4

Stats Size (m2) 5.4 Luff (cm) 423 Boom (cm) 173 Battens 5 Ideal Mast 400/19 IMCS Extension Req (cm) 23 Price £535

Background
Gaastra’s power wave sail is the Poison and it has been a featured sail in the range for many years. It is designed for riders who demand maximum power and control.

At a glance
A classic five batten shape, with two micro battens on the leech, it is very well made, with top quality materials, it has X-ply in the critical areas and a large clear window in the middle. At the foot it has built in down-haul pulley wheels and a large padded tack fairing

Rigging
It rigs on a 400 RDM mast and requires 23cm of extension. We tested it with a Gaastra 100% RDM 400. Once down-haul is set it has a wide tuning range that can be tweaked with the out-haul to suit the conditions or how much power you require.

On the water
You can feel the power instantly but it is not trying to wrestle with you and in puts it down without being really physical on the rider. It is well balanced with a forward pull that is easily controlled with your backhand and it gives you plenty of feedback. The wind range is superb, it powers up early and will get you going in the lightest of winds, while at the same time, holding its shape in the gusts without the need for constant tuning and adjustment. It is also a quick sail that can power you along at fast speeds, this makes it very good for launching big jumps on the way out.
Once on a wave it never lacks power and will keep your speed up through turns when you want it but it is also very easy to switch off the power through manoeuvres and it is always there for you when you need to power back up.

Summing up
A crisp, powerful and superbly well-made sail with excellent handling characteristics and wind range.

www.gaastra.com

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