EZZY LION 7.5M 2014 TEST REVIEW REPORT
Ezzy Lion 7.5m 2014 Test Review Report
BRAND POSITIONING
• “Twin cams provide great light wind power and high wind control.
• Narrow mast sleeve doesn’t fill with water, making water starts easy.
• Calibrated rigging guide gives precise tuning for better performance.
• Ezzy cam system will fit any RDM or SDM mast made in the past 20 years.
• RBS epoxy battens are stronger and stiffer than vinyl-ester battens.
• Every Lion is rigged and thoroughly checked over in the factory.”
PERFORMANCE
The overriding impression of the Lion 7.5 is that it feels very much like a rotational, with a sensation of being soft and powerless, but this is very deceptive, as the power delivery is extremely subtle – something that you notice head-to-head in terms of early planing, acceleration and speed. This sail is super flicky. We mostly felt like were using a rotational and couldn’t stop commenting on that. In our minds this is what a twin cam should feel like rather than some sort of diluted race sail. There’s also good feedback in terms of being in touch with the sheeting angle and the head ‘wag’ was notably positive too in how it pumped the rig over swells without stalling the drive. Obviously the flickiness was perfect for gybing and, with the wind, shall we say, mostly on the upper end of the range on this trip, we’ll just leave the assumption that the Lion will be a good sail for basic tricks! We wouldn’t normally comment on rigging in this section, but it has to be said that this is the easiest cammed sail any of us have ever rigged. The straight luff makes it so simple to slide in the mast and of course we’re talking a much, much narrower sleeve here than the rest of the selection, so there’s never going to be any issues with water stuck in there. Naturally the straight luff means very little downhaul pressure or muscles are required either as you use their excellent calibration system to tweak it just right for the conditions according to the supplied instructions. Is this a sail for using powered-to-the max? Probably not. This is a freeriding sail of distinction, but with the comfort that delivers then, if the sound of being hauled around by a multi-cammed beast terrifies you, yes, you will be faster on this product than a more daunting type of rig. If racing or GPS competition interests you, you’ll quickly find that control is King and equals more hours on the water. And with that in mind, the wind – and tuning – range (although we can’t comment on the low-end below 18 knots) is wide and this 7.5 provides decent value for money as a smooth-sailing, summer sea breeze product.
THE VERDICT
Easy to rig, effortless to sail and the most manoevrable of the bunch, the Ezzy Lion 7.5 offers rotational-style ride and handling and superb ‘flickability’. Top-notch construction and fuss-free setup and tuning make for a compelling performance freeride or freerace option.
Other sails in this test: