The first impression counts. Nils unpacks the Point 7 AC-X and before rolling it out for the first time, he and Mario marvel at the shiny material and the pleasant weight of the sail. The AC-X makes a high-quality first impression, both visually and in the feel.
Unrolled, the obligatory pieces of paper, which serve to protect the sail during transport, fly through the area. A good sign - it's windy! The first impression is quickly confirmed, and both the shape and the colors come into their own. The Point 7 branding appears subtle and elegant on the AC-X. It seems less obtrusive, especially on the version with yellow accents. In addition to the overall successful appearance, the UV-resistant monofilm used in the sail window is also striking. A clear plus point. Looks sexy and if it works as specified, then hallelujah!
Setting up the Point 7 AC-X starts directly with a surprise. In the size 7.0 a 460cm mast and a 10cm extension is needed. High Aspect that is. Basically, this underlines the claim of the sail to want to go as fast as a Point 7 slalom sail. We are still surprised, because most modern slalom sails still run with a 430cm mast.
When rigged, the Point 7 AC-X really does look like a slalom sail that has lost its camber. Lots of loose leech, an official belly that underlines the motto "Fat is Fast" and an overall very flush feel. Nils and Mario didn't even think of messing around with the trim much. A bonus was: the battens were already pre-tensioned upon delivery. For lazy people and trim allergy sufferers, a dream!
Info: Nils, welcher sich mit Point 7 Segeln gut auskennt, hat das Segel >über< den empfohlenen Trimmpunkt hinaus durchgezogen. Circa 2cm mehr als empfohlen, schienen passend.
The way to the water revealed Mario and Nils a first disillusionment. However, not in terms of the AC-X, but in terms of the conditions. Chaotic chop and gusty wind. Suboptimal, especially for a first test.
Mario went out on the water with his Avanti Sails Poweride (Monofilm) to provide a speed reference for Nils. As soon as both were out and planing, things went better than expected. Although the conditions didn't allow for speed runs, both Mario and Nils went over 30Kts max speed. Each with the Point 7 AC-X, Avanti Sails Poweride and on corresponding slalom boards, with slalom fins.
After an exhausting session, it was time to evaluate the first personal impressions. Nils was enthusiastic about the Point 7 AC-X. As a speed rider who likes to sail at 45 knots, the idea of a camless sail was initially very suspicious to him. He was all the more surprised that he was not only fast on the water, but also had a lot of fun.
Nils and Mario summarize the first test impressions as follows:
The Point 7 AC-X is touted by its developers as a slalom sail without camber. This claim is incredibly high. Because the definition of a slalom sail is not clearly defined, but one naturally thinks here directly of competition sails. To become world champion, however, you need camber - that's just the way it is. So Nils and Mario would not call the AC-X a slalom sail.
But: except for the small misleading in the product description, the Point 7 AC-X made an all-around positive impression. Not only that, it showed overwhelming performance. The pressure point remained so stable throughout the entire session that Nils could hardly believe it. As if nailed down and almost as if camber had been installed. The speed was actually so fast that even a slalom sail would hardly have been faster. The handling of the sail was a bit more demanding than usual freeride sails, but still easy. The performance requires small compromises.
Conclusion: if you want to buy a freeride sail at a good price and with a strong focus on performance, we can trust the Point 7 AC-X with a good conscience. However, it is not suitable for beginners, here we recommend a more moderate freeride sail. For intermediates and advanced riders who want to really go ballistic, but don't want to deal with annoying camber, the AC-X is one of the best options.
Nils will be happy to advise you personally on the purchase of your next Point 7 sail. Just contact him by mail nils@windlounge.de and bring your windsurfing sessions to the next level!
Hang Loose,
your Wind Lounge team
