I am going to buy new/secondhand two race sails.
Considering either Gaastra GTX 2011 7.0 and 8.0 or Severne Reflex III 7.0 and 7.8.

Because very attractive price on Gaastra that could be my first choice, but because I never had a chance to use any, wonder if Gaastra Gtx offer similar performance to proven on our waters Severne ?

If Gaastra also has such strict requirements regarding compatible mast ?

Main consideration will be slalom race performance.

topic moved to "Gear review "...

maybe there is somebody use both sails and could help

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Macroscien said...
[br]I am going to buy new/secondhand two race sails.
Considering either Gaastra GTX 2011 7.0 and 8.0 or Severne Reflex III 7.0 and 7.8.

Because very attractive price on Gaastra that could be my first choice, but because I never had a chance to use any, wonder if Gaastra Gtx offer similar performance to proven on our waters Severne ?

If Gaastra also has such strict requirements regarding compatible mast ?

Main consideration will be slalom race performance.

Id go for severne given the abundance of it, just in case u have to get it repaired/replace something. They are fairly similar mast types from memory although my 8.6 reflex didn't rotate perfectly on my gaastra gold top. I dont think u can go to far wrong with either IMHO but id stick with a brand if u can

Reflexs are going to be abit more racier than the GTX.
Both are good Brands
What masts are you planning on using with them.

Problem solved for now. I bought both GTX and tested today on light wind.
Both very nice , relatively easy to setup.
Excellent feeling and control on the water. Even if slightly slower then Reflex I hope that give me this comfort I have been waiting for.
My North RAM 8.0 was absolutely wonderful in higher winds but a bit hopeless in light winds.
GTX start delivering power in very light wing too and all time around the gybe.

Yes Vando, I have possibly not the best masts yet for both and I suspect that could also create the problem with cams.
Both sails have 3 cams only and second is always stack.

Any other reason for cams to stack ? Too much down haul or not enough ?
or just wrong mast ?

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Macroscien said..

Problem solved for now. I bought both GTX and tested today on light wind.
Both very nice , relatively easy to setup.
Excellent feeling and control on the water. Even if slightly slower then Reflex I hope that give me this comfort I have been waiting for.
My North RAM 8.0 was absolutely wonderful in higher winds but a bit hopeless in light winds.
GTX start delivering power in very light wing too and all time around the gybe.

Yes Vando, I have possibly not the best masts yet for both and I suspect that could also create the problem with cams.
Both sails have 3 cams only and second is always stack.

Any other reason for cams to stack ? Too much down haul or not enough ?
or just wrong mast ?

Yeah mate you need to find the correct mast for those sails to get them to rotate. I think my Gaastra's were ok on Naish masts from memory i used to use this site for answers:

www.unifiber.net/masts-selector

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vando said..

Reflexs are going to be abit more racier than the GTX.
Both are good Brands
What masts are you planning on using with them.

Like Vando started to say you need to be careful what mast you use the sails on. They way i understand it (and someone who knows this REALLY knows this stuff please step in if I'm heading down a hole here)

Masts have different curve ratios, manufacturer's sails are designed for those specific different masts. They are cut specifically to match the target mast and are designed around those characteristics. How they hold their shape when downhauled,, when you get hit by a gust, how much extension everything.

Ive defiantly had difficult with cam rotations during gybes etc... when the sail and mast has been miss-matched. One of the slalom guru's will know 100 times about this but maybe look for a gaastra mast. Maybe Simon at Board Crazy's got some, that's where i got mine. Otherwise pop into SurfFX and maybe try rigging your sail on one of their naish masts, they might have some second hand? Then you at least you can try and rotate the sail and see if it sets correctly

Rigging is a an area the slalom guys tend to know all the in's and out's of mate

also make sure you pick the right year for your sail/mast

I had a 7.5gtx - absolutely loved it!

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Sailhack said..

I had a 7.5gtx - absolutely loved it!

What masts you recommend for my 7.0 and 8.0 ?

I love them both too already and although I had cam stack in opposite direction managed to sail with douse of comfort and control.

I have a 8.0m gtx and a 9.6 reflex three I use both sails on a 490 naish mast and both seem to rotate well. I even have a severne 490 blueline but prefer the naish as its 90% carbon and the reflex seems to rotate better on it.

Hi Macro, I've got a 6.5, 7.0 and 8.0 2011 GTX's and use the gold 100% Gaastra masts in them. But, I also use a silver 75% Gaastra mast in the 8.0 on the marginal days for a softer feel and easier to pump. No problems with the cams rotating.




photo courtesy of sboardcrazy.

Just a suggestion.
Cam rotation can sometimes be as simple as adding or taking away a spacer. Having the right mast goes a long way. At the same time, I'm of the opinion that sails will work with many different masts with simple adjustments.

On used sails, first check cam spacers. Chances are previous owner had it setup to suit hismast / his taste. I've met sailors that prefer the rotation firm and higher tension.