The Remedy is promoted by Gaastra as the ‘one
sail that can do it all’ – quite a bold statement
backed by the fact that it is Matt Pritchard’s sail of
choice when competing in Super-X, the most
diverse discipline around today. Eye-catching
with its new graphics, it remains quite a hybrid
sail in its structural layout, drawing upon
elements from various quarters. With a
manoeuvre-oriented configuration below the
boom, it then has a decidedly freeride outline
above the boom, incorporating five battens to
enhance its top end stability. Finished with
excellent detailing, including their fold-over
seaming and foot beading that extends beyond
the clew, it is a very well engineered sail.
Rigging and Set
Possessing quite a lot of luff curve, the Remedy
needs a fair degree of downhaul, making all the
battens completely pull away from the RDM used.
At rest, the sail sets flat with only the slightest
amount of shape evident, and whilst there is a lot
of skin tension in the body of the sail, the leech
twists off progressively along its length.
Ride and Handling
Rather than providing constant low-down power
like a pre-shaped foil, the Remedy remains flat and
neutral at idle, only inducing power as shape is
pulled into it. With a small Dacron luff panel and a
lot of play in its luff tube, it has a soft yet precise
nature, the leading edge breathing whilst the high
skin tension in the rest of the panels make it feel
crisp and reactive in the hands. With an excellent
natural range on one setting, the Remedy
accelerates to an impressive top speed,
comfortably locking down to cover ground and
efficiently dealing with fluctuations in wind strength.
It has stunning top end stability, never pulling the
rider’s stance out of shape, whilst its behaviour in
manoeuvres is exceptional, going completely
neutral once sheeted out to enable effortless
repositioning. As a one-only sail to cover all
disciplines, from freeride blasting right through to
light-wind wave sailing, it is one of the finest
examples yet, and comes highly recommended.
For: Wind range, handling, efficiency and top end
stability.
Against: Heavier or more forceful sailors may find
the Remedy’s bottom-end grunt lacking.
Verdict
Breathable yet precise; light and manoeuvrable,
yet supremely stable; easy yet high-performing
… the Remedy is one of the most versatile and
complete 6.0m sails we have ever tried and
comes highly recommended.
