POINT 7 SPY 5.9M
2020 TEST REVIEW
THE VERDICT
The Spy delivers constant dependable power across an impressive tuneable range, and marries it with a degree of handling balance that is helping to redefine expectations for modern ‘power wave’ sails.
OVERVIEW
The Spy continues to sit as the Salt Pro’s companion in the Point-7 manoeuvre-focussed ranks, garnering a ‘Power Freestyle Wave’ title for 2020. Said to provide the power and control to fulfil a number of roles, it has the same dimensions as the Spy tested last year, yet has a slightly reworked leech profile to make it more compatible with foiling. Dressed in more familiar black and yellow livery this year, it has been developed by a good cross-section of the brand’s professional team, including wave sailors and slalom masters, giving rise to the Spy’s intended broad appeal. Rigged on a Prime 100 RDM (SDM is also possible in this size and the 6.4m), the Spy sets with a moderate to high amount of luff curve, the two lower battens possessing plenty of rotation and shape at rest, whilst the leech falls away progressively down to batten four. There’s a visual trimming guide in the upper panel to help tune the Spy, and a couple of clew eyelets to play with power delivery whilst on the water. And as with last season, the Spy boasts the use of x-ply throughout its panels, from 5mil in the foot panel and window, to 2.5mil in the upper panels. There’s also x-ply used in the alternating batten pockets to reduce weight and mitigate any long-term stretch.
BRAND CLAIM
If you’re looking for power, but power which can plane in the lightest conditions and at the same time challenge even the toughest situations, this is the sail for you.
PERFORMANCE
Tuned for light marginal conditions, the Spy upholds its end of the bargain and generates a good deal of bottom end power. The centre of effort is locked forward in the sail and is high enough to generate plenty of useable lift and acceleration through the hands as a gust hits. It feels solid and dependable, providing balanced feedback through both hands and driving through lulls as if on a mission. And yet, the Spy’s short boom length compliments its forceful nature, making the whole sail feel coherent and manageable. There’s real evenness and honesty to the sail’s sweet spot, meaning it walks the tightrope between power and control incredibly well. Power wave sails of old used to generate tonnes of power and torque per square metre and had to be met with an equally forceful sailing style, otherwise the rider could easily be consumed and dominated. The Spy offers just the right blend of qualities, which gives it plenty of appeal through the spectrum of rider weights, styles and abilities. It will find particular favour with those that like to constantly feel an obvious pull in their hands. Rather than having an on-off character like the Salt Pro (tested in the Jan-Feb issue), the Spy’s delivery is more fixed and unwavering without being too direct, always letting the rider know where the source is. As the wind increases, it can be re-tuned with more downhaul tension (loosening the leech even beyond the marker provided), using the lower clew eyelet to increase boom rake and control. It is innately fast, reaching an impressive straight-line speed even though it encourages a more upright manoeuvre-oriented stance. Its speed and dependable energy can be used to great effect in any environment, from charging around a flat-water arena, to boosting off ramps, or through fluid carving manoeuvres on a wave face. Whatever the conditions or discipline, the Spy has a wealth of tuning range to meet the rider’s demands.
VITAL STATS
Size: 5.9
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
Price: £579
Other sails in this test:
THE LINE UP