POINT-7 SADO 4G 5.4M 2014 TEST REVIEW
POINT-7 SADO 4G 5.4M 2014 TEST REVIEW
BEST FOR
Heavyweights, flatter-rockered boards and high wind bump and jump crossover use – you could even race it …
RECOMMENDATION
Make sure you use the right mast!
BRAND POSITIONING
“The SADO 4g is a master piece of power and the is the longest running wave sail in the P7 range, a masterful combination of power, control and drive. Using a more forward positioned profile mixed with a softer skin tension and thereby creating a powerful yet extremely controllable sail body is what symbolises the Sado and makes it the perfect companion in a variety of conditions.”
OVERVIEW
Due to logistical issues the SADO was a late addition to this trip and therefore missed-out on our comprehensive off-water compare-and-contrast assessment sessions.
Outline: The Sado isn’t tall but although it has a relatively short boom, most of the area is in the bottom half. This is a five-batten frame with two mini leech battens and quite a lot of luff curve high up in the profile.
Build Quality: Pretty much an all-x-ply with dacron trim affair.
PERFORMANCE
First of all we have to say we didn’t get to try the Sado on the correct mast and only in pretty powered-up, almost dead onshore conditions. With it purporting to have a constant-to-hard-top preferred bend we first of all we tried it on a Severne RedLine. As a result, on the the water it was like wrestling a couple of bears in a snake pit, and all we’ll say is that afterwards we decided to lock it in a cage overnight, fearful for our lives. It was clear the sail has a lot of power but needs the right kind of weapon to control it. On seeking advice, animal trainer Adam Lewis – who helped in the breeding of this ferocious beast – suggested a MaverX mast, which gave us a much better impression of it’s behaviour. (But please be aware the following comments are not based on using the brand-recommended spar.) First of all there’s tonnes of power and drive both upwind and off the wind and acceleration galore, which was handy to reach ramps early from the inside. The MaverX wasn’t ideal, still making for some twitch at the high end, but all-in-all the sail – which has remarkably low skin tension – had settled down immensely and exhausted power high up pretty well in the gusts while seeming oblivious to any lulls. On the wave there was a little backhand feedback, but generally it was happier in longer, clew-out, drawn-out turns on faster-rockered boards. For onshore riding you might need to adjust your bottom turning style as we occasionally caught the foot in tighter arcs, but most of the time the impressive levels of power on-tap were appreciated and we liked that the power was forgiving when pivoting off-the-top of smaller waves. As it’s name suggests, this sail might not be for everyone and, after being scared of going near it (never approach it from behind) and it was tamed a little, we grew to like it quite a lot – especially the heavier testers. You have been warned.
THE VERDICT
Savagely powerful, fast and perfect for larger riders to dominate on fast wave or freestyle-wave shapes. If you dare…
READ THE OTHER REPORTS
GAASTRA POISON 5.4
GOYA ECLIPSE 5.3
HOT SAILS MAUI FIRELIGHT 5.3
NAISH VIBE 5.5
NEILPRYDE ATLAS 5.4
NORTH IDOL 5.3
RRD MOVE 5.2
SIMMER STYLE HALO 5.3
SEVERNE BLADE 5.2
TUSHINGHAM ROCK 5.2