GA SAILS IQ ME 5.2 2022 TEST REVIEW
THE VERDICT
A master for making the most of marginal conditions, the IQ ME delivers the smoothest power, combining with crisp handling to enjoy conditions when others are struggling on larger sails. Impressive looks and light-wind performance, but at a jaw-dropping price!
OVERVIEW
The IQ ME is GA Sails’ ‘New-School Wave’ sail and uses a continuous panel membrane construction, with Aramid fibres uninterrupted through the shaping seams. The concept is said to enhance the brand’s standard IQ sails, with extra lightness, neutrality and smoothness to its power delivery. Rigged on a 100% RDM mast, the IQ ME has the least luff curve of all the sails on test here, making it easy to apply the correct tension. Once rigged, the bottom two battens protrude beyond the leading edge of the mast at rest, whilst the leech falls away only marginally in the top panel. It also sets incredibly flat, and boasts the largest quoted dimensions in the group, making it look big and bold. Build quality is clean and refined, with double stitch seams used around the perimeter of the x-ply window, whilst the membrane panels provide the IQ ME with a feeling that it’s something quite special.
BRAND CLAIM
“Combining the next level range of use, neutrality and jumping abilities of the IQ with the most premium construction available – the IQ ME does not cut down on anything!”
PERFORMANCE
Used in marginal winds, the IQ ME really comes into its own. Light and neutral in the hands at rest, as the gust hits and the pressure builds, the reduced luff curve combines with the long boom length and movement in the ‘Elite Dacron’ luff panel to help deliver plenty of useable power. Using the higher clew eyelet, it’s a ‘float and ride’ secret weapon, with an incredibly pumpable nature and capable of making the most of light and gusty airs. As the Dacron luff panel expands and the sail’s profile deepens, its elastic limit is reached, whereby the large second membrane luff panel takes over, giving the IQ ME a really crisp smooth delivery. The centre of effort is located well forward in the draft and pushes the board forward efficiently, rather than pulling the rider to their toes. Powering upwind effortlessly, it allows you to get to the lineup quickly and enjoy the most variable conditions whilst others are struggling. And it’s in manoeuvres and transitions that the IQ ME really shows its worth, providing the controlled power to enter confidently, before going wonderfully light and neutral mid-transition, so that it’s easy to reposition. It’s on-off nature and smooth power delivery will endear it to most, making it easy to ‘play the boom’ whilst riding and really making the most of every wave. As the wind increases, this 5.2m does begin to feel big, so a little retuning with more downhaul tension and the use of the lower clew eyelet will help to improve twist and control. It’s best to consider this, the largest IQ ME in the range, as on a par with standard 5.6m sails, such is its light wind prowess and capabilities, changing down to the 4.8m when others are using 5.0m sail sizes. It certainly does begin to feel its size when the wind increases, but its light weight and flat set means that the ability to stand up, ease out and control the sail is always there.
GA SAILS IQ ME 5.2 2022 TEST REVIEW
SPECS
Size: 5.2
Luff: 414 cm
Boom: 176 cm
Battens: 4
Ideal Mast: Gaastra 400 cm RDM
Available Sizes: 4.0, 4.4, 4.8, 5.2.
PRICE: £1129.00
NEIL PRYDE COMBAT PRO (2021) 5.0