SIMMER V-MAX 7.2M 2013 TEST REVIEW
SIMMER V-MAX 7.2M 2013 TEST REVIEW
BEST FOR
Perfect for moderate to fresh wind surf-slalom conditions.
RECOMMENDATION
Pair with faster, narrower boards or larger freestyle wave shapes. Choose wisely when slotting into a quiver as there’s plenty of top-end and it’s best sailed fully powered.
BRAND POSITIONING
Simmer firmly brand the V-Max as a freerace product. The nearest alternatives in their line are the Enduro ‘freemove’ and Veron entry-level freeride sails or the twin-cam 2XC. They pitch the V-Max as ‘the best choice for the sailor who wants a light-weight, cam-free, manuever-oriented freeride sail.’
OVERVIEW
Outline: Compact and low-aspect with a slightly stepped leech in the head area, moderate dropped clew and low-cut foot.
Build Quality: All the tough wavesail heritage means Simmer put all the usual hard-wearing materials plus a generous level of x-ply in the head, leech, luff and foot. There’s also stretch control seams diagonally upwards from clew-to-luff and all the typical batten, foot and mast-top anti-abrasion protection.
Rigging and Tuning: We liked it with a moderate downhaul setting and found no extra benefit in tightening the leech in lighter winds. The two clew cringles allow further tuning control, particularly at the top-end.
PERFORMANCE
Low End & Acceleration: In general the V-Max is a good early planer – offering positive acceleration too – but compared to some on this test it struggled in really marginal conditions, especially driving wider boards. To be fair it’s also the smallest in this group, which has to be taken into consideration.
Top End: In breaking surf and choppy environments where you’re kept on your toes the V-Max comes into its own for speed and control. On the flat it’s best with a narrower hull and sailed well powered.
Gybing & Manoeuvres: Now we’re talking. Usually it’s the taller sails with shorter booms that handle the corners better but even with a fairly low foot the V-Max is much more like a smaller freeride or wavesail to throw around.
Handling: The pull seems low-to-middle and forward and on those thinner boards definitely generates extra lift and feels more spritely and reactive. In general you feel like you’re on a much taller sail and we were surprised to see the compact measurements after our initial outings.
THE VERDICT
A true all-rounder whose standout quality is of not being a specialist but happily ticking all the boxes. Like a big, friendly wave sail, the V-Max is easy to control and manoeuvre and will easily cope with rugged coastal environments.
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