MAUI SAILS MUTANT 4.6M 2015 TEST REVIEW
MAUI SAILS MUTANT 4.6M 2015 TEST REVIEW
OVERVIEW
The Mutant contrasts many of the sails here by achieving its abilities from a reduced luff length, although not the only sail in this group to set on a 370 it is still a full 20cm shorter than the rest.
Maui Sails wave range comprises of the 5 batten Global, Legend and Ghost-CS (Technora Legend) and of course the 3 batten Epic. The 4 batten Mutant is the shortest luff length of the bunch and we had been itching to get our hands on one for some time. The 375 luff length and clean set really tickled our fancy and marked the Mutant as the most squat in the test group and one of the most compact sails available..
BRAND CLAIM
Our revolutionary Mutant 4-batten, ultra compact wave sail has proven itself over the past couple seasons as a lethal tool for both competition wave sailing (2 x AWT champ) and dedicated wave sailors alike.
PERFORMANCE
The Mutant looks intelligently put together and sets with an even amount of luff curve and just a little looseness in the leech between battens 1 and 2, and a hint between 2 and 3. In the wind, this is always a cleanly set sail that never looks out of shape with the downhaul as per spec, and 15-20mm of positive outhaul tension to balance things. It has a fine entry and with its low aspect ratio outline, the centre of effort is located a little further back than on a traditional sail, requiring your lines to be moved back a few cm for correct balance. Once your lines are right you can get on with challenging yourself to try some different moves, inspired by that short luff. Raking the rig over into a bottom turn you are provided with a different perspective as you look over the tip that much sooner than a taller sail. As expected the drive and bottom end are all there and easily accessed. The feel is noticeably different to the rest of the test and the manoeuvrability is smooth, not twitchy. It is a stable sail to be put where you want and can feel like standing on a simulator with a kiddy-rig being so chuck around. As some of the team commented, the draft position sets you square to the rig with drive between the feet, giving your body even pressure to manage the tremendous turning power it can generate. If you are coming from more traditional outline sails then take a little time to get your settings right and you will soon be away, enjoying the Mutant’s smooth power and manoeuvrability.
THE VERDICT
Toy like dimensions provide a great combination of drive and manoeuvrability for all rider weights. Four battens and a moderately firm leech provide lots of manageable power to tap into and exploit. Clean setting and calm in puffy conditions, this squat little fighter will help reveal the adventurous side of your windsurfing nature.
Other sails in this test: