SIMMER BLACKTIP 5M: 2025 TEST REVIEW
The Verdict
Designed for comfort, the Simmer Blacktip boasts a very impressive wind range. Its easy handling, combined with a drive that aids early planning, boosts rider confidence, even when the conditions are hardcore. Match its drive on a wave and you will be rewarded with a powerful flow that will enhance your riding experience.
The Lowdown
The 2025 Blacktip has been redesigned and overhauled by sail designer Tomas Persson and World Cup rider Marc Paré. If you’ve been following social media since Marc joined the Simmer team, it’s clear he has made a significant impact not only on the Blacktip but also on other products from Simmer. The 2025 Blacktip has generated a buzz among wave sailors in our community, promising a lighter weight, improved forward drive, a broader wind range in smaller sizes, and enhanced manoeuvrability in the larger sizes.
Exploring some of the key new technologies behind the 2025 Blacktip, a laminate vertical load line runs from the top to the tack, locking in the sail’s profile to improve stability and extend material longevity. Stretch Control Tendons distribute load evenly across the Blacktip from clew to luff, managing the twist breaking point and, like the load line, further enhancing the sail’s durability. Even the battens that form the framework of the Blacktip are CNC machine-tapered and engineered to maintain the sail’s draft for optimal performance. The Blacktip is available in two lightweight, infusion-printed colourways: deep red and blue, or white and bold yellow—the version we received for testing. When rigged to spec, the Blacktip offers ample give and material between its vertical load line and the mast, allowing it to fill and expand, bringing the Blacktip to life. On the beach, the Blacktip checks many of the right boxes; it feels and looks fresh, sparking enthusiasm among wave-sailing enthusiasts who got a chance to take a closer look.
Brand Claim
“The 2025 Blacktip sail has been meticulously engineered with a singular focus: equipping Marc Paré with the optimal tool to achieve his ambition of becoming the Wave World Champion.”
Performance
Up on a board, the Blacktip feels light in the hands, making it noticeably effortless to position. As you power up, you immediately feel the Blacktip’s body fill and expand, especially up front in the luff, as it delivers a firm forward drive. It doesn’t pull you aggressively but remains easy to control, even when powered. Its forward drive helps bring boards onto the plane and smoothly up to speed. Transitions are executed with relative ease, as the light and responsive nature of the Blacktip doesn’t tug or pull you around. In overpowered conditions, the Blacktip holds its own. With a quick tweak of the outhaul, the sail falls back in line, extending its upper wind range. In ferocious gusts, you’ll notice the Blacktip naturally exhaust, flex, and twist, yet it still keeps the power stable and settled in the rider’s hands. Feeling confident at speed, the Blacktip builds the rider’s confidence— and that’s all before entering a wave. Sat on a pitching and feathering wave, timing your drop down the face. The Black Tip can help back off some power and then immediately when you choose to commit and sheet in its forwards drive, which is rapidly generated help accelerate you down the face. On a wave and at pace the Black Tip feels light, it’s there to assist your riding, not to hinder you. It’s power and drive-up front helps deliver powerful bottom turns, punchy top turns and manoeuvres. Always entering and exiting with gumption. Commit to riding with the Blacktip with as much drive as it gives you, and you will ride with a powerful flow that can match the wave.
SIMMER BLACKTIP 5M: 2025 TEST REVIEW
VITAL STATS
Price: £659
Size: 5m
Luff:407cm
Boom: 162cm
Battens: 4
Ideal Mast: SX8 400RDM
Weight: 3.10kg
Available sizes: 3.1/3.4/3.7/4.0/4.2/4.5/4.7/5.0/5.3/5.6/5.9
OTHER SAILS IN THIS TEST