Delamination of gaastra race foil

jabez · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 13

hello
I have a 1988 gaastra race foil that is delaminating,can it still be used,or repaired? Does the delamination take the shape out of the sail?
thanks jabez

DanWeiss · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 2296 Location: Connecticut, USA

Delamination of the polyester film from the dacron will not "take out" any shape, but it is a sign to replace your sail. The other sign is that 22 years have gone by.

Seriously, if there ever is motivation to see what a new rig can do for your fun, perhaps this might be your sign?

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

Google up Windance used sails. You can buy vastly greater performance than any 22-yo sail will provide for less than the cost of chasing repairs on a sail that old. Here's one example in the size range you're seeking:

http://tinyurl.com/2eaq2kg

I'm sure you'll also find some great deals with lesser shipping costs closer to home by Googling Hatteras used windsurf. Example:
http://tinyurl.com/2cjq5k6

Mike \m/

jabez · Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 13

Thanks to those who replied. I bought this sail new fopr $25.00,I have had it for about 6 years,I use it in low wind on an equipe. In wind from 3-12 mph there is not a modern 8.5 sail out there that has the same low end power of the gaastra race foil. I have tried the GTX,sailworks,aerotech,and a np 8.5
if someone can tell me of an 8.5 that has same low end power as the race foil,I will buy it. Only if it is xply,monofilm sails are junk!
jabez

U2U2U2 · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 5:26 pm Post subject:

not to sound like a smart arse

you certainly have gotten your moneys worth from your beloved Gaastra

I would find it pretty hard to believe that a modern , read less than 5 YO sail in this size would not perform better OVERALL.

I don't sail stuff this big but a Ezzy Freeride or Sailworks Retro or HotSails Maui Speed Demon//GPS would be in my immediate future

outcast · Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724

DUMPSTER!

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

That ... or a friendlier rigging surface for the parking lot.

Mike \m/

DanWeiss · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 2296 Location: Connecticut, USA

dhmark · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 376

For low end power find more about Ezzy Zephyr, their specialty low-end longboard sail. Only comes in 7.5, they claim it has power of 8.5 (a modern 8.5) I think it does, so maybe not powerful enough for you. dhmark

LeeD · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 1175

Just threw out my '88 Racefoil 5.7 2 weeks ago.
Was RegionalRider for 3 years, then National for one.
Nothing beats it for 13-18mph breezes, 100 liter light wind slalom board go fast.
Closest is GaastraSprint (??), double small cam, long boom, short height. Mine is a 5.5, so not really a fair comparison. Racefoil boom was over 200, 5.5's 193, so a relatively huge loss of low end, but a gain in top end up to over 23.
Delam no biggee, but it looks like crap and the shape is ugly. Still, loaded with moderate wind, tis good and fast.
Basically, it's a 6.6 without the heaviness, and a little short on top end.