Windsurf MagazineGUNSAILS EXCEED 8.0 2022 TEST REVIEW

GUNSAILS EXCEED 8.0 2022 TEST REVIEW

THE VERDICT

A user-friendly twin-cam delivering all-round performance for use on a variety of platforms, from freeride to freerace; and at €539.00 it represents exceptional value for money.

OVERVIEW

The Exceed sits in Gunsails lineup between the no-cam freerace Rapid (tested last month) and the 3-cam freerace Vector, described as their ‘Power Freeride’ sail. With two cams, one either side of the boom, it boasts tubed battens in all bar one of its pockets and the brand’s well established ‘Cross Batten Concept’ (where batten five crosses the boom), said to maximise stability and control. Compatible with RDMs in the three smaller sizes of the range, this 8.0m is recommended for use solely with SDMs and was tested here using a Select 100%. Easy to downhaul thanks to the ideally oriented roller tack pulley, the cams are straightforward to roll onto the mast, the sail setting with a moderate amount of luff curve, pulling a good amount of depth forward in the draft. The F.R.E.D. (Fast Rigging, Easy Doing) trim marker in the upper panel helps to provide guidance on the amount of tension to apply, the leech falling away progressively along its length. Compared to the others in the group, the Exceed has one of the deeper profiles here, pushed well forward in its draft, yet also has one of the narrower luff sleeves. Build is clean and straight forward, with all the features you’d expect of a modern sail, such as abrasion beading and pads along the length of the foot battens and in other vulnerable areas, a padded tack fairing and alternating batten pockets to mitigate any asymmetry between tacks. And at €539.00 it comes in at a price that can’t fail to draw attention … but how does it fair on the water?

BRAND CLAIM

“Our uncomplicated camber sail convinces with its coherent and balanced profile, the defined draft point and its effortless handling in manoeuvres.”

PERFORMANCE

Used in light winds initially, the Exceed’s deep forward-facing profile generates a good deal of bottom end grunt. There’s a softness to the delivery, cushioned by the response available in the mast, and as the slack in the Dacron luff sleeve pulls tight, it makes the pressure build progressively. The higher clew eyelet extends the boom length and offers the leverage to make the power all the more obvious through the back hand, providing welcome feedback to cruise through even the most prolonged lull. It’s an ideal engine for partnering wide freeride and freerace boards, punching them clear of the water and keeping them honest over long distances in variable winds. User-friendly and comfortable, the centre of effort is stable and balanced, being around shoulder height and focussed forward in the draft. As the wind increases, a simple drop down to the lower clew eyelet generates more rake on a shorter boom length and helps to improve control. With every gust, the acceleration felt is more gradual and progressive rather than instantaneous, yet the stability of the Exceed is impressive, displaying a good natural wind range on one setting. In transition, the Exceed drives in well, locking into a course round a gybe and following its own path through the wind, requiring little input or force from the rider. Opening up easily, its cams rotate effortlessly on the new tack, the power returning smoothly and providing time for the rider to settle into their new stance. We did try to pull a little more tension on the downhaul to open the leech further and push its top end performance, but it’s not really what the Exceed is about. Instead, it’s for uncomplicated plug and play freeride sailing across a wide wind range – simply rig it and enjoy.