POINT-7 SPY 5.9 2022 TEST REVIEW
THE VERDICT
Straightforward to rig, set and understand, the Spy is a fast, dependable performer and endeared itself to all that used it, possessing that magical Point-7 trait of feeling ever lighter in the hands as the velocity dial is turned up.
OVERVIEW
Branded as the ‘Power Freestyle Wave’ sail in their range, the Spy is interestingly described by the brand as a “multi-tasking high aspect power angry 5 batten setup.” It is available in two distinct colourways – Point-7’s familiar code black version (tested here), using a 2mil laminate in the upper panels (called black XXX) giving the sail a softer more forgiving nature, or their yellow 7548 version, with a complete x-ply construction and the intention of a more direct nature. And in their 2022 overview, Point-7 write that the Spy is the only sail in their range that they “did not touch, as to make something even better is not that easy for [this] category.” One point worth noting – Point-7’s literature mentions that the code black Spy has a 5mil monofilm window, but our test version (and the ones in their images) actually has a x-ply window. Rigged on a K97 RDM mast, it displays a moderate amount of luff curve as it is downhauled, so that the progressive looseness in the leech reaches ‘The Setting’ marker in the upper panel. With this skin tension applied, a good deal of shape is pulled low and forward into the foot of the Spy, the shape continuing up the luff above the boom, but becoming flat soon after. There’s plenty of rotation in the two lower battens, and fine tuning can be achieved by playing the outhaul tension through the two clew eyelets – the upper suggested for use in freestyle, the lower for wave sailing. Finished well, there are plenty of examples of attention to detail, such as x-ply incorporated into the alternating batten pockets to mitigate stretch and reduce weight.
BRAND CLAIM
“Power to plane, hit a lip, or a ramp in the lightest conditions and get ready to challenge even the toughest situations. Blasting for bump and jump conditions, up to trying out the basics of freestyle. You won’t find anything else out here, with more control, wide wind range, and power.”
POINT-7 SPY MAIN.mov from POINT-7 International on Vimeo.
PERFORMANCE
On the water the Spy is every bit the performer we recall from years past. Setting the downhaul as prescribed and using the top clew eyelet, it delivers a good amount of bottom end grunt to encourage even the most stubborn board to release. The sail’s centre of effort is forward and in a medium to high location, providing plenty of useable feedback, the Dacron patching in the luff panel helping to temper any sharpness. Feeling balanced and easy in the hands as it transitions onto the plane, the Spy’s real charm and allure is realised as subsequent gusts continue to hit. It simply thrives under more pressure, the extra energy translated efficiently into more speed … and more than this, the Spy’s handling seems to become lighter the faster it goes. It’s a similar sensation to the one experienced using other Point-7 sails and it helps to inspire a more expressive and ambitious style of sailing. Some test team riders noted that the increased speed encourages a more locked in stance, whilst others felt the speed, high cut foot shape and lighter handling pushed them to hit ramps harder, or bottom turn more aggressively. As such, it certainly doesn’t feel like a 5.9m in the hands and offers just the right balance between immediacy of response and control. An increase in wind strength is easily met, and managed, with the drop to the lower clew eyelet, the leech twisting smoothly to keep the power and drive locked forward.
POINT-7 SPY 5.9 2022 TEST REVIEW
SPECS
£679.00
Size: 5.9m
Luff: 440 cm
Boom: 178 cm
Battens: 5
Ideal Mast: Point-7 430 RDM
Available Sizes: 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, 5.4, 5.9, 6.4.
OTHER SAILS IN THIS TEST