SIMMER 2XC 7.1M 2013 TEST REVIEW
SIMMER 2XC 7.1M 2013 TEST REVIEW
The low-down
The 2XC is Simmers twin cam freerace sail range. For this test we’d have preferred the 3-cam SCS – which is more similar to their full-on race and proven speed sail line the SCR. As things conspired, we did get to try a 7.5 SCS but the irony is that this was submitted into our 7.8 twin cam test so please bear in mind this is neither Simmer’s elite-level or de-tuned racing sail.
At-a-glance
Six battens with three micro battens and two cams Compact shape with low foot and wide head
Scrim construction in head and leech
Stretch control system seam
X-ply foot and luff panels
Medium-narrow luff tube
Moulded tack fairing
Twin clew cringles and short clew cut-out
Kevlar and PU tack and head reinforcement
Rigging
Setting on a 430 mast, the 2XC is very simple and quick to rig with only the twin cams to worry about. We tested it on a Simmer 100% carbon mast and found it easy to tune the foil for a good range of use.
Performance
The 2XC feels extremely well balanced and light in the hands, the bottom-end power feeding in smoothly and efficiently to get up-to-speed. For a twin cam it accelerates quickly and keeps on pulling hard. The low cut foot is shaped perfectly to naturally lock it down and is very comfortable while blasting around. Although the low-down grunt is good it’s the top end that’s most impressive, especially for a twin cam aiming to match more dedicated sails. The lighter testers found it stable at speed and easily able to deal with gusts and the heavier guys never complaining of it running of steam. Despite the lower aspect shape it was nice and light in manoeuvres with the kind of snappy twin cam rotation you’d expect.
The Verdict
The Simmer 2CX is a fast and furious twin cam sail that’s lightweight and delivers great all round performance and handling. It would make a useful alternative to a multi cam race sail for any freerace sailor or racing newbie. It obviously lacks some of the true top end performance of a full-on race sail, but makes up for that with added manoeuvrability and impressively held it’s own in this category.
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