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Learn More About Gaastra Quality, Durability & Technology
Twin strip x ply luff panel: with
S-string Kevlar reinforcements For stability and higher rig tension
California
Battens - Best on the market with 505 Tubes
High quality
Dimension Polyant material - Doesn't delaminate
Heavy Duty Luff sock -
the lightest on the market when wet
Luff Sock stitching is
100% protected to ensure durability
Jelly Foot and Seam beads to
protect against aggressive non-skid of modern boards
Reinforced
End-batten HD Layer
Silicon Reinforced Mast Opening & Sail
perimeter
Double stitched seams
Clew Grommet Reinforced - most
durable on the market
Dycut Curves to protect baten pocket ends when
rigging
Responsive leech tension: With higher clew grommet
Six
batten configuration for stability
Perfected foot cut out: Balancing
speed and maneuverability
Triangulated load bearing panel layout:
Gives the most strength to weight ratio
Boardseeker Magazine Test
The IQ is exactly as Gaastra describe it " a compact, low
aspect wave sail. It has the shortest luff in test (417cm)
combined with the longest boom (178cm). Sail weight is
3.87kg, which puts it around the middle of the group for
weight (although on the water it certainly felt one of the
lightest in the hands).
The IQ has quite a high cut foot (the highest in test), and
the bottom batten is consequently a lot shorter than the
clew length. This makes it a bit harder to get shape into
the foot of the sail, as releasing too much outhaul makes
the sail quite baggy around the clew. The IQ therefore sets
a bit flatter than most of the other test sails, but does have
a reasonable amount of rotation / fullness at the front of
the sail where the battens meet the mast.
We actually found that the IQ wasn't a massively
tuneable sail, but instead had a fantastic 'untuned
range'. Basically, get it set right and then leave it alone,
allowing the sail to do the job of delivering performance
right through the wind range. If necessary you can
squeeze a tiny bit more bottom end out of the sail by
releasing a touch of downhaul, but most sailors will be
best sticking to one set.
On the water
On the water, the IQ instantly feels like a performance product.
This is no scaled down freeride sail pretending to be a wave sail
" this is a real hardcore wave sail, built for purpose.
It's very light, manoeuvrable and neutral in the hands. The
high cut foot and short luff make the sail feel very agile on
the wave and arguably the most manoeuvre orientated sail
of the test. The power point is perfect for driving the board
through the turns, and the IQ felt well suited to the new
style multi-fin boards.
The top end is fantastic, jointly the best in test. The slightly
forward pulling power point, flatter profile and compact
shape give the sail great stability. Most importantly for a
wave sail it keeps feeling manoeuvrable even when you
should be on a smaller sail.
The power
delivery is relatively sharp, giving it a responsive feel in the
hands, and the pull position was the most forward of this
group, keeping it light and neutral in the hands and very
easy to depower on the wave.
Overall Impression
While by no means a powerless sail, the
IQ is not quite a
match for the rest of these sails in terms of 'raw power'.
If absolute raw power is your thing, then check out the
Poison. But when it comes to wave performance the IQ is
extremely impressive, offering lightness, manoeuvrability
and agility that you wouldn't normally associate with a sail
of this size. These assets, combined with a fantastic top
end, make it a great choice for all types of wavesailor other
than the heaviest or most power hungry.
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