Windsurf Magazine Test Results for the 2009 Ezzy Free Wave 4.7m

24th Jun 2009 @ 01:28:04 PM

EZZY FREEWAVE 4.7M Target Intermediate to Pro A fantastically built and designed all-rounder for a huge range of users and conditions - from freeride to wave and freestyle At a Glance 1) 5 battens 2) 3 mini leech battens 3) ‘Endo’ batten system (where the battens run down the middle of the sail rather than one side or the other) 4) Typical Ezzy bomb proof design! All x-ply except one pvc window 5) Measured increments along the boom cut out 6) Strong, double stitched seams 7) Improved Ezzy downhaul and outhaul visual trimming system: more visible and user-friendly for 09 Rigging and Set The Freewave 4.7 is easy to rig & tune with improved trimming systems for downhaul and outhaul. It sets with a progressively loose leech, and there is some pre-shape in the foil, albeit not as much as in past Ezzy sails. Performance The Freewave delivers smooth power to the rider as they sheet in, which helps to get a board going quickly, whether for freeride purposes, freestyle or wave sailing. This power is progressive, as the foil feels efficient but not solid and uncompromising. Drive originates from central to the rider and about chest high, this allows you to either lock the power down and blast, or adopt a more upright, manoeuvre-oriented sailing stance. Once up to speed the sail feels very balanced and easy in the hands, the pre-shape totally unnoticeable. As the wind picks up and the sea state worsens, the Ezzy stays stable, the sail seeming to absorb any harshness from the wind or the sea. If the conditions worsen further still it eventually starts to get a little back-handed, but re-tuning can sort this and demonstrates a huge tunable range, alongside a fantastic natural one. The Ezzy particularly impressed owing to the fact that it is the only sail on the market that has a large range for tuning on the outhaul alone, without affecting the stability of the sail (although you can tune it with both downhaul and outhaul as per usual too). In transitions the Freewave can be de-powered, feeling balanced and neutral in the hands. It offers useable easy power for longer bottom turns, or during a drawn out gybe, and is easy to reposition mid-manoeuvre, with a slightly shorter boom length than the Wave Panther. As the sailor sheets in the power comes on smoothly, for clean, controlled exits: any rotation of the battens/foil shape smooth and unnoticeable. Verdict + A fantastically well designed sail with great build quality. Foolproof to rig and tune, and superbly user-friendly over a wide range of conditions and disciplines - Very little to fault – superb wave and freeride application. More dedicated freestylers might still find the shape in the foil less attractive, despite the fact it is totally unobtrusive mid-transition.