SPOTLIGHT 99
Big/beautiful
Witchcraft Karma 5.9m sail
Info: https://witchcraft.nu/sails/karma/ Price: €770
WORDS: WINDSURFING UK PICS: JAMES JAGGER
THIS IS THE BIGGEST SAIL FROM WITCHCRAFT WE’VE TESTED TO
DATE, AS WELL AS BEING THIRD FROM THE TOP IN TERMS LARGEST
ACROSS THE WHOLE RANGE. ONLY A 6.2M AND 6.5M REMAIN IF YOU
NEED SOMETHING BIGGER. DISPLAYING THE SAME TRAITS ACROSS
THE WHOLE RANGE THE 5.9M IS BUILT TO WITHSTAND A LIFETIME OF
HARSH ABUSE IN CANARIAN WINDSURF ENVIRONMENTS. HOW
DOES THIS TRANSLATE TO THE UK? EASY! IT MEANS IT WON’T LET
YOU DOWN ON THESE SHORES…
Rigging in the same fashion as previous
Karma sails we’ve tested it likes a little
less downhaul than you’d think for a
five batten sail. The bottom end is
impressive and we guarantee you’ll be
on smaller sizes while other riders will
be using bigger. 5.9m is. Once you go beyond certain
sizes of sails swing weight increases,
simply from having more sail cloth
area. And while there’s no getting
away from this WC’s 5.9’s delivers a
very well mannered feel and is easily
throw about if you need it to be.
The Karma is pretty grunty, with similar
traits to what you’d find on lower
aspect four batten sails for instance.
So for anyone looking to punch onto
the plane quickly (all of us then), in the
least amount of wind possible, and/or
have enough drive to see you over
white water without issue, yet looking
for balance in your rig, then perhaps a
WC Karma is the way to go. Setting up for jumps, for instance,
there’s plenty of boost to get you into
the air, while through rotations that
easy feel will be welcome by loopers or
riders who throw down manoeuvres
such as takas and the like. And of
course, for float and ride, pure wave
sailing scenarios, there’s plenty of
oomph to get windsurfers out to the
peak and in the right spot for take offs.
Talking balance again and it’s
noticeable just how composed the The 5.9m has also found favour with us
here at WSUK HQ for windfoiling
adventures. That low end power pops
riders onto foil early whilst the sail’s
balance and poise gives confidence
during straight line flight as well as
round foiling gybes.
Conclusion
For a 5.9m Witchcraft’s Karma is a
tough cookie that displays many
handling traits of something more
akin to a 5.3m. Easy to power your
sled up with yet being agile enough
for the most proactive of wave
sailors it’s a light wind weapon that
many will find favour with. Then
there’s the sail’s crossover
performance that’ll suit freeriders
and windfoilers alike. If you haven’t
looked at five batten sails for a while
then this could be worth scoping out.
uk
WIND
SURFING