It was quite windy in Melbourne earlier today (got up to 24kn down on the peninsula) and I decided to buy a second smaller sail (and mast). I went for a Gaastra Manic HD 4.2, as I currently have a NP Firefly 5.3 and I was keen to see how other brands differ. I found that compared with the NP sail, the Manic was difficult to rig because the pulleys were tucked so far inside the sail (which is covered with stiff plastic at the foot) I could barely get my fingers in, let alone thread the rope around them, especially on the final thread when the rope had tension on it. I did succeed, but it was a bit frustrating. Is this common to all Gaastra sails? Do you guys just persevere until the rope goes where you want it, or is there a knack to it?

That said, once I had the sail rigged and got on the water, I really enjoyed it. In combination with the 60% carbon mast I got it felt way lighter than my 5.3 (+ 30% carbon mast), but it got the board moving no problem and was nice and easy to handle.

In 2013 Gaastra changed their sail footing and I have to say it was a terrible decision. Very difficult to rig and if you use a euro pin, hard to use the button in the extension. I guess they didn't do any UAT. They are still great sails though ;)

BTW, I saw a used 2013 Cross go super cheap because the footing had cracked. Let's hope the warranty cost will drive out this crappy design choice.

I used Gaastra Manics and poisons in Maui this year, they were 2013/2014 models and cant recall any issues with rigging that annoyed me, actually from what I remember it was pretty much like the Pryde sails to rig where you roll the foot up a bit to expose the pulley block.

This is a 2014 Manic HD. I'll see if I can roll the foot back, but it felt like that plastic isn't meant to be bent too sharply or it might break. I'd have to put a lot of force on to roll it back.

I've got 2013 poisons and have found with a bit of use the foot of the mast sleeve stretches out so it's quite easy to roll it back to access the downhall pulleys

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d11wtq said..

It was quite windy in Melbourne earlier today (got up to 24kn down on the peninsula) and I decided to buy a second smaller sail (and mast). I went for a Gaastra Manic HD 4.2, as I currently have a NP Firefly 5.3 and I was keen to see how other brands differ. I found that compared with the NP sail, the Manic was difficult to rig because the pulleys were tucked so far inside the sail (which is covered with stiff plastic at the foot) I could barely get my fingers in, let alone thread the rope around them, especially on the final thread when the rope had tension on it. I did succeed, but it was a bit frustrating. Is this common to all Gaastra sails? Do you guys just persevere until the rope goes where you want it, or is there a knack to it?

That said, once I had the sail rigged and got on the water, I really enjoyed it. In combination with the 60% carbon mast I got it felt way lighter than my 5.3 (+ 30% carbon mast), but it got the board moving no problem and was nice and easy to handle.

I have 2013 Manic, Poison, cross and savage and they all have the same annoying design you mentioned. It is a pain in the bum but the sails are so magnificently good that I just don't care. I love all my Gaastra no cams, especially the manic. Despite the bad design around the bottom of the sail I still give them a score of %100. They are pure joy to use.

The sail in my avatar is a Cross 5.6 . Probably my favourite along with the manic.

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Cluffy said..

The sail in my avatar is a Cross 5.6 . Probably my favourite along with the manic.

I have the 2012 Cross 5.6 - no annoying mast foot thingy and a joyous sail, perfect on my 102 FSW.