DUOTONE SUPER STAR 6.2 2021 TEST REVIEW
THE VERDICT
A master at making the most of light airs, the Duotone Superstar 6.2m has a massive tuneable range, its upright stance and soft flexible power delivery making it a versatile sail for both conditions and rider abilities.
OVERVIEW
Tying neatly in with sister company Fanatic’s fortieth anniversary, Duotone have used 2021 as a good excuse to re-introduce one of their most eye-catching and distinctive sails in their North Sails past – the Super Star. And whilst the ‘Stargazer’ Edition remodels the bold ‘star’ visuals of its predecessor, there are two alternative colourways (at a reduced price), both displaying an altogether more modest appearance and layout. Whichever design takes your fancy, the foundation of the sail’s character is the same – a four batten wave-oriented sail with its draft more forward focused than its stablemate, the Super Hero. It replaces the Super Session in the lineup for the new season, being an evolution of it in design, and is available in nine sizes starting from 3.7m to 6.2m, the largest in the range and the only size actually sporting five battens. Rigged for test on a Platinum 430 cm RDM, it is easy to set, thanks to the Visual Trimming System (VTS) in the upper panel – a long-standing feature in the brand’s products. There is a staggering amount of tuning range available on the downhaul, the two lower battens retaining good rotation around the mast throughout, with looseness radiating uniformly down the length of the leech to the single clew eyelet. Exhibiting the least luff curve of the test group, the Super Star is the most upright sail here and stands proud, with its clean lines and panel layout in this ‘Off-White’ colour scheme. Finish and detailing are as you would expect from the Duotone loft – there’s plenty of thought and consideration evident in both materials used and features present. Just remember not to succumb and dig out the batten key to try and disperse the small creases present along the pockets of the lower battens; the tension in the iRocket 2.0 battens are said to be factory calibrated, the sail ready to ‘rig and go’!
BRAND CLAIM
“The rebirth of one of the most iconic wave sails ever! Crisp and direct the new Super Star works on single and multi-fin wave boards and even for freewave jumping conditions.”
PERFORMANCE
Rigged for light marginal airs, the Superstar is a bit of a secret weapon! With its reduced luff curve and tight mid-leech, it’s as if every square centimetre of the sail’s area is generating power, the life and surge generated in every pump of the sail lifting the board from the water and releasing it onto the plane. Handling is light and balanced and the amount of spring and energy the sail produces is impressive for a 6.2m. Once planing, the Superstar settles into a comfortable upright stance, the centre of effort high, yet really forward in the draft, and it’s this forward position that really helps to mitigate any negative influence from the draft’s movement. Its soft ‘connected’ feel stems from allowing the mast to breathe, and makes the sail quite mast specific – the better the mast’s performance, the better the sail feels. It makes the Super Star a float and ride rider’s dream, pumping easily and providing useable power combined with light handling, a character that becomes especially evident during manoeuvre or transition. As the wind increases, a quick re-tune on the beach is required, increasing skin tension, opening the leech and locking the sail’s pull forward. And there is plenty of tuning range available, so it’s worth spending time to explore it; if it doesn’t feel right, keep playing! We found it’s feasible to go well beyond the VTS marks provided, increasing twist, without pulling all the life out of the sail. Just be careful not to over outhaul it. More manoeuvre-focussed than blasting, it maintains its upright posture, and whilst not as pinpoint precise in the hands as some, it certainly still maintains its manners. Balanced through both hands, its built-in softness cushions the ride as the board negotiates its path through challenging seas.
DUOTONE SUPER STAR 6.2 2021 TEST REVIEW
SPECS
Size: 6.2m
Luff: 448 cm
Boom: 182 cm
Battens: 5
Ideal Mast: Duotone 430 cm RDM
Available Sizes: 3.7, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, 5.3, 5.7, 6.2.
PRICE: £680.00 STARGAZER: £735.00
OTHER SAILS IN THIS TEST
THE LINE UP