EZZY WAVE 5.0M
2020 TEST REVIEW
THE VERDICT
The Ezzy we have come to know and love, providing incredible range, dependable power and first-rate build quality … but now with the revelation of light precise handling! This sail is unquestionably worthy of the iconic Ezzy’ Wave’ title.
OVERVIEW
The “Ezzy Wave” returns to the Ezzy ranks, replacing the Elite for 2020 as their four-batten wave sail, the 5.8 being the exception, gaining an extra batten. The focus for David has been to reduce the physical weight of the sail without compromising the brand’s reputation for exceptional strength and build quality. By dispensing with the vinyl window (replacing it with Spectra reinforced x-ply) and restructuring the clew layup (reducing both physical and swing weight), he claims to have achieved his goals. And we have to say, the result is a very light sail – weighed when rolled in the centre before use, it was certainly one of the lightest in the group here, coming in at just over 3 kg, a fraction over its quoted weight. Build quality is second to none as we have come to expect from the Ezzy loft, including established features such as integrated battens and the most industrial tack roller on the market! The large plastic head cup; the three large mini-battens, the extended tack fairing, and the use of insignia tape in the head panel to assist rolling – every detail is scrutinised and each sail is rigged and calibrated in Ezzy’s Sri Lanka factory before being shipped.
BRAND CLAIM
“My goal with the Ezzy Wave was to combine the power and stability of our Zeta, with the lightness and handling of our Elite. Getting the Ezzy Wave right was a challenge. It had to satisfy both my son Graham’s need for power in European onshore conditions and 8 x world champion Kevin Pritchard, who demands lightness and manoeuvrability for side-off wave riding.” David Ezzy
Ezzy Wave: the rhythm from Ezzy Sails on Vimeo.
PERFORMANCE
Rigged on a Ho’okipa 400 cm mast, the Ezzy Wave has the least amount of luff curve in this group and as such was very easy to downhaul. The vinyl window is not the only thing that has disappeared on the sail, the trimming guides on the leech are no longer present either. Instead, Ezzy relies on the calibrated guide in the tack of the sail … and for good reason, it is nigh on foolproof, giving instant confirmation of the recommended set. Interestingly, as with the Taka and Hydra, the Ezzy Wave has two ‘minimum’ marks – one for marginal sub-planing float-and-ride sessions, and one for marginal planing. One thing is for certain though, there is masses of tuning range available, the lower battens retaining plenty of rotation at minimum, or pulled away completely from the mast at the sail’s maximum setting. On the water, this ability to tune and re-tune again gives plenty of confidence that you can face any variable in wind strength or condition head on. In marginal winds, the Ezzy Wave feels light and balanced, yet positive in the hands, responding superbly to pumping as the mast flexes and the sail punches forward. The centre of effort is located high, yet right in the front of the sail’s deep draft, providing useable power without a hint of feeling backhanded. You could forgive Ezzy’s of old for feeling progressive (some would say heavy) in response, for all the upside in durability. Well, move into 2020 and whilst still built to last, the Ezzy Wave’s weight reduction and re-engineering has given rise to a smooth, forgiving power delivery and crisp precise handling. Its forced profile precludes the Ezzy Wave’s ability to go entirely neutral, yet sheet it out and it returns to being super light and manageable. For wave riding it is a fantastic partner, providing the power and drive through the bottom turn, its short boom and light focussed handling allowing it to be repositioned easily mid-transition, before applying the on demand and always there power for the cutback. And as the conditions become more severe, a simple tweak (that can be done even on the water with its vast outhaul range) and the Ezzy’s smooth forgiving nature can be restored.
VITAL STATS
Size: 5.0
Luff: 409-413 cm
Boom: 157-167 cm
Battens: 4
Ideal Mast: Ezzy 400 cm RDM
Available Sizes: 3.0, 3.4, 3.7, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, 5.2, 5.5, 5.8.
Price: £665
Other boards in this test:
THE LINE UP