Tuesday was the day and it wasn't just for me; after not having sailed for more than 4 weeks, I rushed to the water after work.
My new Gaastra Jekyll 8 meter 2009 model had to withstand rain and gusts of wind of more than 30 knots. Even if it was, after such a while not kiting and then suddenly in these weather conditions, with two hands at the bar; that kite had to and would be baptized by fire!
This is a picture from the old box. Pictures of the session are unfortunately missing; there weren't many kiteboarders and it kept raining so the camera couldn't get out of the bag.
Here is a brief overview of my first impression of the Gaastra Jekyll 2009 8 meters.
- In my experience with Bow and SLE type kites, it has happened that when the bar is tightened firmly in strong wind, enormous pressure is placed on the points where the bridle lines (bridle) are attached to the kite. The kite then deforms, as it were. This could also happen with the Jekyll 2008. The Jekyll 2009 doesn't have this, it keeps its shape.
- With the 2008 kite you could have the feeling of 'go or no go' (on and off feeling); when pulling on the bar enormously, this made the kite want to reverse. This was not disturbing to me, by the way. This has been resolved with the Jekyll 2009.
- The cloth of the kite is well stretched so that the kite feels nice and stiff and direct without it bothering enormously in gusts of wind.
- I missed a stopper at the bar. With this wind I didn't need it, but it's nice to have it anyway. Gaastra reported that there is another stopper on the way in front of the bar.
- The depower range is large without too much loss of steering power during heavily depowered kiting. The kite also remains considerably depowered and easy to control.
- Pump & go. Because it was one of the first shipments, there was neatly a note with the kite with the request to tie one extra button on the backlines. After this I was ready for action.
And yes, despite the rain, it's worth it to be on the water again!
Dangerous !!!!!
The safety is simply stuck, I found out today. Loosening the bolts does not help to release it, you will have to pull your safety out of necessity, you are nicely attached to your kite. I will report this to gaastra
The bar: Gaastra says that the 10 meter Jekyll 09 sails well as both 46 and 52 cm bar, but which bar length do you use for the 10 meter? Always switching from 46 to 52cm is KUT. Therefore your opinion. I haven't decided yet, but I think it's more direct and agile with a 52cm bar.
I indeed also missed the stopper .. with less wind you want it too .. downside is that the jeckyll2 lazes out of the sky like a dead bird when you let go of the bar to turn back ..: p with an extra button is there it's been a bit better but still a bit distracting ..
You also have to take good care of your chickenloop this year .. check it regularly (the screw on top) if it is just a bit too tight, you really won't get your safety loose ..
If this screw is just 1 bit looser, it will work without problems.! 😉
All in all a super kite! really really good! nice and stable, sends in nicely, and has a good low-end. high end is great, but you already invented that, arjan? 😉
Jeckyll = recommended!
latr
No problem, when we are at the sea you can test it. Then that kite also runs at 90% (passes, loops etc) instead of 50% of its performance as with me. 😉
I would also like to borrow it from you to see if it is as good / better as last year's Jekyll.
Sounds good anyway!
Was nice weather especially Tuesday;)?