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06.02.2009
 WINDNEWS
Italy Dec/Jan 09
Transwave 5,3:
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English translation:
We have taken some photos of the sails that had to be tested, but definitely the
"too soft action shot" we have of the Transwave does not reflect the real soul
of this sail.
TThe Transwave is the latest wave sail of Gun Sails which is taking the place of
the previous model "Wave MC". Unluckily we have no hardcore action shot because
of the simple reason that we originally planned to go to Sal (Cabo Verde) for
our tests, but it did not work. Thus we had to "abuse" the Transwave surfing in
our local swells as well as we've been sailing in the horrible Tramontana wind
with it. That's the hardest condition where to prove the sail performance.
After a few tens of sailing times and some of them in a super gusty off -shore
wind (from 0 to 30 knots), we are fully able to affirm that Renato Morlotti, the
Gun Sails designer, made once again a big strike with that sail.
Everyone who's owner of a Wave MC sail or what ever, who had the chance to try
it, can feel free to bring all his own impressions and put them definitely away;
despite the improvements that were done year by year, the Wave MC never had the
chance to approach such high performance levels like the new one does: kind of
first-lady sail (en espaņol se diria: una fuera de clase), much lighter in the
hands and on the water and especially, much more tolerant (useful) now.
The new sail has also the capacity to push strongly forwards like the Wave MC
does, but, now it has got the kind of soft feeling which I always like to
mention and which is for me one of the strongest points of my Naish sails. Even
in that case it`s hard to compare which differences exist to the Force. Even the
French team was placing the Transwave between the Gaastra Poison and Naish
Force, talking about power capacity.
Say that, from our point of view it is very hard to find out any kind of quality
/ performing differences between the 2009 Gun Sails sails and the rest of
supposed "high class" categories sails.
Back to the Transwave 5.3 and which differences exist in comparison to the Wave
MC: The old sail was a perfect "all terrain sail", but comparing to the
Transwave, the last year model Wave MC always felt heavy on the arms, a bit
stiffer and when overpowered, it was sometimes pulling with too much energy on
the back hand. The new Transwave does release much more freedom to your back
hand and only lighter windsurfers will feel it.
Surfing with the Transwave, the rider has the feeling to handle a small sail
and, once again, I have to remark the freedom of movement, the neutrality and
the handling offered at any time.
Useful in big waves as well as on flat water, the Transwave is more powerful and
more reactive than the Steel 5.3 (we've compared both sails); it's the perfect
choice for sailing in our classic Mediterranean conditions.
Maybe last year I would have chosen the side-shore sail "Hammer" 5.3 thanks to
its lightness and neutrality, but this year I have more problem to make my
choice because I like both: the new 2009 Transwave 5,3 and the Steel 5.3; the
only "weak" point of the Transwave compared to the Steel is that the Transwave
has a lighter construction (Transwave 70% X.Ply / Steel 100% X.Ply).
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