Simmer Blacktip 4.5m
BACKGROUND
The Blacktip is Simmer’s compact, soft-feeling wave sail, designed to be lightweight-yet-powerful and largely, but not exclusively for use with multi fin boards. Its shape has evolved over the last few years and for 2013 it has lost a little weight.
AT A GLANCE
It’s well-built, with plenty of X-ply re-enforcement around the frame of the sail and in the high-stress areas, with a large clear mono window in the middle and top sections, it features 2 MIL Q-ply, which is a new lighter, stronger film. It is available in three different colour options and all come with the trademark ‘black tip’ in the head. It has a compact low-aspect shape, with a high-cut foot and short boom length.
RIGGING
It rigs on a 370 RDM and we tested it with a Simmer 10 mast. For best results, follow the rigging guides on the sail to set the downhaul and then tune with the outhaul, it has a decent range that can be adjusted by tweaking the outhaul to suit your personal style and the wind conditions.
PERFORMANCE
It’s light in the hands and has a fairly soft feeling, the power is very easy to control, with its low-aspect shape and low centre of effort. It has a good forward drive, which is controlled with the backhand. Its wind range is good, especially at the bottom end where it gets going very early, with an eager yet easily-controllable low down grunt. In the gusts it remains stable and never gets backhanded or out of control. In the surf it blends power with control beautifully. On the wave it is light and easy to switch off the power, but when you want it back, it can be switched on instantly. It’s compact shape is also easy to throw around in the air when jumping and you can also have confidence that if it does all go wrong, this sail should stand up to it.
THE VERDICT
The Blacktip is a great all-round four-batten option. It’s light and super-easy to handle in all conditions and will suit a wide range of riders who are looking for a compact sail for most wave boards and especially to drive multi-fin shapes.
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