TEST REVIEWS
Magazines tests give important feedback on sails you are willing to buy. What we are experiencing often from the feedback of the tests of our sails, is that we develop them for people who are not looking for limits in their windsurfing. That is exactly true, as we develop each model taking it the max performance possible. We are too addicted to competitions and goal is to take off any hand breaks. Sometimes a test can be better or worse according to which target the magazine testers are looking for in a specific sail: sometimes it could be the same as the brands, sometimes different, and it also depends on the target of clients of the magazines. This is why results can vary a bit from one magazine to the other on the same sail.
POINT-7 EQUIPMENT TESTS FROM MAGS
The Verdict
The faster you go the better the AC-0 gets. Asking for matched commitment from the rider, the AC-0 tunes and twists away by itself, while paired with a fast and more technical Freerace or Slalom board the AC-0 will deliver blistering speeds.
The Lowdown
In classic Point-7 style, the AC-0 looks built for a mission. The main panels are black, but still remain transparent, casting a darker tone, but more importantly, it still allows you to remain aware of your surroundings. Rigged to the recommended settings, the leech falls away in the expected manner. The AC-0, boasts a significant draft in the belly, while overall, the AC-0 has quite high skin tension. The battens hold an efficient pre-cambered shape which should offer good low-end grunt and provide an efficient shape to pull you through any lulls. There is some slight batten overlap on the mast on the lower battens, however, it’s not as significant as some others in the test. Working out to the clew, where only one clew eyelet is placed for absolute ease of rigging, the AC-0 is cut in to help reduce boom length. The second batten from the foot crosses the boom to help maintain stability, while also helping to reduce wear as the sail rubs on the boom when pumping. The makeup of the AC-0 is generally aiming to achieve lightness with the vast majority of the sailing being made up of high-quality monofilm. Meanwhile, X-ply is purposely placed in the bottom panel where tension in the tack strap is most apparent and also along the luff to maintain stability. The AC-0 is available in two colour ways, pearl black and slate grey, which we were provided with for the test. Its jet-black appearance, with substantial shades of grey and silver, along with white accents, make for quite a powerful appearance that will lure onlookers on the beach to come over and investigate.
Brand Claim
“Designed for: Slalom speed seekers, who don’t like the hassle of cams. If cambered sails are not your cup of tea, then the sheer performance specs and looks of the AC-0 should be the one for you. Let the wind fill in the sail, and you’ll be smiling as you watch others eat your spray!”
Performance
Walking down to the water’s edge and manoeuvring the AC-0, its boom length does make it feel big. Once up and on the board, you are immediately cast under a reduced light as the darker monofilm prevents some of the light from passing through, which makes it feel bigger than it actually is. The AC-0 likes a commanding attitude to match its appearance and Its initial power delivery is punchy, asking you to drive the board up to speed and slip into the straps. Locked in and sheeted in, the wind naturally fills any looseness in the leech. The AC-0 stands tall and taut, naturally tuning and twisting to match the conditions around you. Its centre of effort is situated down alongside the rider, making it easy for you to hunker down and harness the power. The faster you go and the more you commit, the more stable the AC-0 becomes, so the more committed you are the more you will get out of it. In gusty conditions, the AC-0 pulls you through the lulls as its deeper profile down low holds a more efficient shape. Through the gusts, as long as you commit, you will be rewarded with an injection of speed, however, if you decide not to commit, the AC-0 can start to feel heavy in your hands. The AC-0’s range can be widened by playing with the outhaul tension to give you more top end or more low-end ability. Meanwhile, the AC-0 has a natural trait of never really switching off and going neutral, so it demands maximum effort from the rider through tacks and gybes. It rotates well, delivering instant power on the exit, which you just need to anticipate. The AC-0 commands input from the rider to elivate its performcance so it can flatter the rider, not for the inactive but made for the proactive rider who can target and manage the AC-0.
AC-0 7.7 NO CAM RACE 2024
The AC-0 is developed to be the fastest no cam sail on the water and has proved itself on many magazine tests, without having a wide mast sleeve and cambers. The high-end performance will give you the high speed that you have always dreamed about. It's not a freeslalom sail, but a PURE NO CAM RACE, otherwise there would be no need for an AC-F in the range. Power and enhanced stability in both low and high wind conditions, combined with a very locked-in feeling that is only comparable to a cambered sail. Its low-cut foot encouraging the rider to lock it into a committed stance. When you want to be the fastest without cams, this is the sail to have.
https://point-7.com/zero-24-overview/ac-x-slalom-no-cam-024/
THE SALT PRO WAVE 2024
a poised stance that will drive you into
critical sections with ultra stable power
at your finger tips, which you can turn on
and off at a moment’s notice as you ride.
THE AC-F 5.9 Crossride
The AC-F sits in the Point-7 range as the crossover sail, designed specifically for fun and user-friendliness. Design to donate power for planning in a smaller light size. To make distinction the AC-F is targeted towards “light wind qualities over high wind performance.”
LINK: https://point-7.com/zero-24-overview/ac-f-crossride-024/
SPY BUMP & JUMP: SURF MAGAZIN REVIEW
A nice single review done on the SPY. Sail used to bump and jump to pure wave riding. Control and wind range is the priority.
AC-Z 2 CAM RACING: SURF MAGAZIN
AC-X NO CAM RACING: WINDSURF UK
Do we really need cams to go fast? Do we really need cam to have fun in many of the long distance racing or local racing? Well, not if you have an AC-X! Did you check the pricing?
SPY POWER WAVE: WINDSURF UK
THE VERDICT A real-world wave sail for making the most of those gusty coastal conditions we are often greeted with as we turn up to the beach. Fast, powerful, and super stable, it makes a great high wind coastal freeride sail, for blasting and bump-and-jump enjoyment.
AC-Z 2 CAM RACING: WINDSURF UK
THE VERDICT: A sail that would be perfectly at home on a race course, the AC-Z sail impresses with its remarkable stability, punchy acceleration, and unique ability to maintain speed and lift during lulls. When handled confidently in turns, the sail can be moved forward elegantly while setting up the rider for power-packed exits.
AC-F CROSSOVER: WINDSURF UK
THE VERDICT
If you are looking for a sail that can give you that electric feel on the straights whilst still maintaining strong manoeuvre capabilities, then look no further. The AC-F provides the nessecary grunt to help get riders get going in the light and charge hard in the wind all the while being ready for stylish turns.
