Windsurfing Equipment Tests - American Windsurfer

Sails: Simmer Style @ Maui

Control Bump Speed Style King Surf

Simmer Style Freezone

One of the more popular sails among guest testers, the Freezone was one of Cindy Ross’s favorites. She called it light, crisp and easy to oversheet in a turn.” Steve Hutchinson called it “fast, smooth and stable.” Jon Stella gave it points for handling and excellent speed. The pros pretty much agreed, but felt the Freezone had to be thoroughly downhauled to really show its stuff. Their only quibble: the sail is difficult to roll up neatly.

Size tested 4.5
Mast 430–21
Boom 5’4”
Weight 6.5
Durability B
Downhaul Ease 9
Rig Ease 8.0
Speed 5.5
Power 5.0
Stability 6.5
Waterstart 9.5
Rotation 10.0
Luffability 9.5
Price $439.00

Control Bump Speed Style King Surf

Simmer Style Onshore Wave

Pro testers enjoyed the Onshore Wave, finding it to be a well-balanced and versatile performer - once it was very thoroughly downhauled. They found the weight to be quite a bit more reasonable than that of the Simmer Wave Comp - similar to the competition in fact - and the performance satisfying. The opaque fabric in the window area is an impediment to front-side wave riding, but otherwise, and despite the fact that guest testers were noncommittal about it, pro testers feel the Onshore wave can do it all.

Size tested 5.0
Mast 430–21
Boom 5’4”
Weight 7.9
Durability B
Downhaul Ease 9
Rig Ease 8.0
Speed 5.5
Power 5.5
Stability 6.5
Waterstart 9.5
Rotation 10.0
Luffability 9.5
Price $489.00

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