DUOTONE SUPER _HERO 5.0 2022 TEST REVIEW
THE VERDICT
With undoubtedly more natural range than ever before, this new Super_Hero has the breathability and silky-smooth power to endear its rider-focussed delivery to even the most conventional and hesitant sailor.
OVERVIEW
The Super_Hero is Duotone’s dedicated wave sail, distinguished from its stablemate, the Super_Star, by its draft location. Whilst the Super_Star is described as having a forward-facing centre-of-effort, the Super_Hero’s is said to be centred around the rider. Available in two colourways, as well as an HD and a membrane version, it is the sail of choice for World Champ Victor Fernández, style master Marc Paré and our very own Adam Lewis, who’s also been integral in the sail’s testing and development programme over the last few years. The 2022 design has been presented as a real step forward again, with various notable concepts. Firstly, there’s Duotone’s new ‘Light Done Right Construction’ philosophy: using refined panel layouts, materials and reinforcement patches to skim 200-300 grams off a sail’s weight, without reducing material thicknesses or the sail’s structural longevity (and in doing so, upholding their unique five (2+3) year warranty offer). In addition, the luff sleeve has become one-piece for the new season: again, a weight reducing exercise, but also claimed to enhance the sail’s elastic sensitivity and response. As a result of these changes, Duotone’s literature notes a permitted slight reduction in profile depth, for easier handling and control in overpowered conditions, without any detrimental impact on bottom end power. The double stitch seam that extends from the clew through the window panel and up the luff is made more visual and prominent in the 2022 colour scheme, whilst extoling the functional properties of reducing “bending elongation by up to 50%”, thereby enhancing the sail’s stability. There are countless graphical markings and references throughout the Super_Hero’s panels, proudly drawing attention to its engineering features and tuning options. And rightly so in our opinion – it is a very well-considered and complete product
BRAND CLAIM
“Handling, neutrality and weight have improved noticeably once again and we can truly claim that it is the most versatile wave sail with the widest possible wind range that we have ever built.”
PERFORMANCE
Rigged on a Platinum 400 cm RDM mast, the amount of downhaul to apply is easy to appreciate, thanks to Duotone’s long standing and clear VTS system, their new Tack Roller 2.0 simplifying downhaul rope threading into a quick loop-and-go process. And despite both lower battens protruding well beyond the mast’s leading edge at rest, there’s plenty of movement in the luff sleeve and panel, making for easy rotation around the mast. Set with less tension for light, marginal conditions, the Super_Hero’s delivery might take a little while for some to get used to. There’s no denying that a higher, more forward focussed centre of effort helps to ‘lift’ the board onto the plane, but that’s not to say that the Super_Hero is a slouch at getting going. On the contrary, once you understand its delivery style, it can be used to great effect. As pressure builds, the easy movement in the main belly of the sail helps to deepen the sail’s profile considerably, and thanks to the tight mid-leech connecting all the upper panels, it feels incredibly punchy and responsive to any energy input by the rider. Once going, the Super_Hero settles effortlessly in the hands, feeling smooth and wonderfully balanced, ready for the next manoeuvre or transition. It is just so easy to move around and reposition, the power focussed squarely around the rider, giving the minerals right at the rider’s fingertips at the crucial moment. The delivery is smooth and progressive, the power capable of being pinned down easily to point high and make good progress upwind. As the wind increases, its rider-centric centre-of-effort ultimately gives less margin for error; any movement rearwards will have a tangible unbalancing effect on the back hand. Yet the Super_Hero’s natural stability and range mean the sail copes admirably in our typically gusty frontal weather conditions, and any decay can be halted with a quick retune of increased tension. It’s an impressive sail for a more expressive riding style and worth every effort in riding adjustment.
DUOTONE SUPER _HERO 5.0 2022 TEST REVIEW
SPECS
Size: 5.0
Luff: 411 cm
Boom: 166 cm
Battens: 4
Ideal Mast: Duotone 400 cm RDM
Available Sizes: 3.0, 3.4, 3.7, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, 5.3, 5.7.
PRICE: £719.00 HD: £759.00 M+: £1169.00
NEIL PRYDE COMBAT PRO (2021) 5.0