At a Glance:
The Wave SE is Ezzy’s flagship sail, continually evolved and scrutinised each year by the
assiduous hand of Dave Ezzy. Designed for use on any water state and in any manoeuvreoriented
role, it retains an incredible build quality, being exempt from monofilm by opting for a
high content of Spectra reinforced X-film instead. The middle vinyl window also stays, whilst a new material is used in the foot of the sail, containing double the content of Spectra to prevent rips from impacts with the rider’s harness hook or the nose of the board.
Available in three colour schemes, it is a very attractive and robust looking product, without any noticeable increase in physical weight.
Rigging and Set:
With an extended padded fairing, there is a lot of Velcro to get through to reach the tack, although the universal joint pad can be removed if you wish. Compatible with standard or RDM masts, it requires a reasonable amount of downhaul effort, and should be set according to the visual trimming aid on the leech. Tuned with positive outhaul, there is significant shape built into the SE’s draft, utilising the brand’s Endo-batten configuration (battens completely de-rotated) to ensure identical profiles on both tacks.
Ride and Handling:
Providing a constant balanced pull in the hands, the SE generates plenty of bottom end power, smoothly transferring its energy to the board for an impressive early planing performance. Once going it is beautifully stable and poised, driving effortlessly through lulls and
accelerating positively in gusts. No longer possessing the on-off feel of its predecessors, the SE has a constant steady drive, being both crisp and controlled, and instilling confidence in the rider as they learn to rely on the sail. In transitions it drives firmly through the turn and whilst not going neutral mid-transition, neither is it heavy or cumbersome to re-position accurately. The real trump card of the 2006 SE’s performance is its wind range, which, with a little tuning come strong winds, allows it to be used to devastating effect. Rock-steady, composed and completely dependable, the sail seems to reach a power threshold, beyond which it simply exhausts any excess power so as not to pull the rider’s stance out of shape.
For: Perfect control across a massive wind range.
Against: Disregard the outhaul trimming cord!
Verdict
The SE goes from strength to strength,with the 2006 version undoubtedly being the best yet. Providing constantcontrollable power across a stunning wind range, it is a wonderfully well engineered sail.
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