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DCIM107GOPRO

SIMMER QUANTUM V3 90L 2017 TEST REVIEW

Stats Price £1699 Volume (L) 90 (quoted) Weight (Kg) N/A (naked, quoted) Length (cm) 228 Width (cm) 60 Fin 2x Blacktip G10 150 + 2x Mission G10 105

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SIMMER QUANTUM V3 90L 2017 TEST REVIEW

THE LOW-DOWN
The Quantum V3 is a new design introduced earlier in 2016, designed for what Simmer call “wind swell based wave sailing” – that is from light to high winds and from onshore to side shore conditions. With five slot boxes in the tail, the Quantum is super adaptable, set up as standard in quad, yet capable of also being used as a thruster (for a more freewave feel) or twinser for increased speed and looseness. With a bold graphic design, it has a rounded outline, with low wide shoulders and an even dome to the deck, combined with a polished hull on the underside. The deckpads are thick and provide good traction, housing a choice of outboard or inboard front strap positions, and double screw security for the back strap to eliminate twisting. It has been a while since we have tried a Simmer board, so we were interested to see how they had progressed.

BRAND CLAIM
“Just as much as our original Quantum, it is super loose and effective in smaller surf, but now also handles bigger waves, faster riding and choppy conditions most effectively. Like before, the Quantum stays loose and effective also when loaded with a bigger sail, but the added control of the new design also allows you to choose the board a bit bigger to gain some spare volume.”

PERFORMANCE
On the water the Quantum feels conventional underfoot, carrying weight well and feeling balanced and easy. Whilst not quite as early planing as some in the group, it responds well to power and releases smoothly. What was noticeable though is that once going, the Quantum keeps its speed beautifully, gliding through lulls, the fins providing excellent traction to push against. It has a low planing threshold, capable of keeping on the plane at slow speeds – a fantastic asset, especially when riding slow waves in cross-onshore conditions. Pushing through the front foot to initiate the turn, the rails grip purposefully whilst the fins help to provide the drive to redirect the board around the tightest corner. And when you get there, the Quantum still has the speed to punch its broad shoulders expressively off the wave’s broken section. The shoulders also provide the added bonus of real stability in the tack, making the Quantum super secure and dependable in tight spots. As the chop increased, the Simmer’s handling really begins to stand out, the deep concaves in the hull ironing out the water’s surface, making the ride incredibly soft and forgiving. The rider can really relax into their stance and pick their path with impunity, knowing the board will back them up. In overpowered wind strengths, we did find the Quantum reached its top speed sooner than others when setup as a quad, signalling time to play with its fin configuration to improve its range. Using a 19cm slotbox fin we had to hand, a thruster arrangement certainly increased its top speed and practicality, mitigating the handling issues we were beginning to experience with the sail. As such, we’re confident it has plenty of tuning potential, the surface of which we’d only just scratched within the time frame of this test.

THE VERDICT
Smooth and balanced underfoot, the Quantum is a secret weapon in slow waves and cross to cross-onshore conditions, with a wonderfully low planing threshold enabling it to keep its speed through the turn.

www.simmerstyle.com


Other sails in this test:

 FANATIC TRIWAVE 89

 JP THRUSTER QUAD 95

 QUATRO CUBE 95

 RRD WAVE CULT 90

 STARBOARD ULTRA KODE 93 

 TABOU POCKET 97


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