Windsurf MagazineDUOTONE E_PACE 6.6 2023 TEST REVIEW

DUOTONE E_PACE 6.6 2023 TEST REVIEW

The Verdict

If you are looking for one sail that is going to have you covered for a range of conditions, then the E_PACE is for you. With its huge tuning range, the E_PACE is easy to sail. Due to its reduced luff curve, the sail really does the work for you, ensuring you can extend your sessions even in the roughest of conditions.

The Lowdown

With its modern design, the E_PACE is back for the 2023 season and is available in seven sizes from 5.4 to 8.2m. The key features of the new E_PACE are its athletic freeride design, easy rigging and acceleration. It is a no-cam sail that offers versatility in a wide range of wind conditions thanks to its 3 IN 1 DESIGN with a greatly reduced luff curve, with the downhaul tension having a significant impact on how the sail sets. This design allows for two extremely wide trim points, MIN and MAX, which is said to cover an incredibly wide wind range and give the sail a different high- or low-end performance. Trimming the sail is made easy by Duotones Visual Trim System, which guides riders in the sail’s tuning range as they pull on the downhaul and outhaul. To help riders with ensuring they have the sail set to the correct profile, Duotone preset each individual sail batten to ensure they are set to the correct tension before being shipped out of the factory. The E_PACE also features a special clew eyelet for foiling, highlighting the sail’s broad capabilities.

The new E_PACE has received a visual facelift, but is technically unchanged. It is available in both monofilm and monofilm-free HD construction, which is extremely durable but comes at a higher price point.

Brand Claim

“There is no freeride/race no-cam sail out there covering a larger trim, board and wind range than the E_PACE!”

Performance

First, let’s talk about this sail’s massive tuning range. This feature is what sets the E_PACE apart from other sails on the market. The ability to adjust the sail’s profile to fit your conditions is a game-changer and is made easy by Duotone’s Visual Trim System 2.0. Simply set the sail to the lower or upper wind limit to meet your needs. We did find, however, that the sail performed best with a bit of fine-tuning to suit the rider’s needs.

Once set, the E_PACE reaches respectable top speeds whilst maintaining a very comfortable composure, producing an easy ride that can be sailed for hours. The sail responds extremely well to an active rider when working onto the plane or through changes in pressure applied. One thing that we noticed right away was the lack of leech flutter in the rig, even when the downhaul was cranked on, due to the mini battens that sit between the main battens in the leech panels, ensuring that stability is maintained even when the wind got up.

In choppy conditions, the E_PACE responded incredibly well, thanks in part to the mast and the sail’s reduced luff curve, which work in harmony to provide a smooth, stable ride, allowing the rider to maintain their position while the sail does the work for them.

In conclusion, the E_PACE is an impressive piece of gear that is perfect for riders looking to have fewer sails in their quiver.