TUSHINGHAM STORM 6.0M 2013 TEST REVIEW
TUSHINGHAM STORM 6.0M 2013 TEST REVIEW
THE LOW-DOWN
The Storm is Tushingham’s classic all-round ‘high-wind freeride’ sail with sizes ranging from 3.5 up to 6.5. It’s been in their range for many years and has evolved gradually season-by-season.
AT A GLANCE
• 5 battens with 2 micro leech battens.
• Plenty of X-ply reinforcement with a large monofilm window and flexible PVC ‘crash panel’
• Adjustable head cap
• 2 out-haul options at the clew
• High-aspect shape
The Storm looks durable with plenty of reinforcements built-in throughout the sail that offer excellent value-for-money.
RIGGING
We used an SDM Tushingham Carbon 75 mast but the Storm can also be rigged on an RDM and the characteristics of the sail change depending on which style you choose. The SDM makes the foil more stable, with a better top end, while the RDM will make it feel softer with a slightly improved bottom end. It’s a particularly easy and hassle-free sail to rig and it has a decent tuning range, although not too fussy of fine-tuning.
PERFORMANCE
The Storm is very user-friendly, with a soft (although not overly so with the SDM) and neutral, balanced feel that’s very easy to control. There’s plenty of low-end – we found it nice and responsive to pumping – and it handles stronger gusts with ease. Our test was mainly conducted in 18-25 knot conditions, maybe more in the gusts, and the 6.0 was ample for heavyweight testers at the lighter end of the scale and continued to pull all the way up to top-speed. Overall there’s a good, constant, stable power delivery and it’s easy to confidently manoeuvre and use for tricks in any kind of water state.
THE VERDICT
The Tushingham Storm is a highly versatile and hassle-free sail to use, with great plug-and-play potential that riders of all levels can instantly enjoy. It’s best suited to the more freeride focused riders who want to blast around at high speeds and turn with ease and style, but is also pretty capable of venturing out into some waves and it certainly won’t hold you back if you fancy busting out some freestyle moves at any point.
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