First impressions count. 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 terms of feel.
Unrolled, the obligatory pieces of paper used to protect the sail during transportation fly around. A good sign - it's windy! The first impression is quickly confirmed and both the shape and colors come into their own. The Point 7 branding on the AC-X appears discreet and elegant. It seems less obtrusive, especially in the version with yellow accents. In addition to the overall successful look, the UV-resistant monofilm installed in the sail window is also striking. A clear plus point. It looks sexy and if it works as specified, then hallelujah!
Setting up the Point 7 AC-X starts with a surprise. The size 7.0 requires a 460cm mast and a 10cm extension. In other words, high aspect. This basically underlines the sail's claim to be as fast as a Point 7 slalom sail. However, we are still surprised, as most modern slalom sails still use a 430cm mast.
Rigged up, the Point 7 AC-X actually looks 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 feeling. Nils and Mario didn't even think about playing around with the trim. A bonus was that the battens were already pre-tensioned on delivery. A dream come true for lazy bikers and trim allergy sufferers!
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 a first disillusionment to Mario and Nils. Not in terms of the AC-X, however, but in terms of the conditions. Chaotic chop and gusty winds. Suboptimal, especially for a first test.
Mario took to the water with his Avanti Sails Poweride (monofilm) to provide a speed reference for Nils. As soon as they were both out and gliding, things went better than expected. Although the conditions didn't allow for speed runs, both Mario and Nils were able to reach over 30Kts max speed. Both 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 reach speeds of 45 knots, he was initially very suspicious of the idea of a camberless sail. 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 their initial test impressions as follows:
The Point 7 AC-X is advertised by its developers as a slalom sail without camber. This claim is incredibly high. After all, the definition of a slalom sail is not clearly defined, but one naturally thinks directly of competition sails. But to become world champion, you need camber - that's the way it is. So Nils and Mario would not describe the AC-X as a slalom sail.
But: apart from the small misleading statement in the product description, the Point 7 AC-X made an all-round positive impression. Not only that, it showed overwhelming performance. The pressure point remained so stable throughout the session that Nils could hardly believe it. As if it had been 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 little more demanding than normal freeride sails, but still very easy. 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 clear conscience. However, it is not suitable for beginners, here we recommend a more moderate freeride sail. The AC-X is one of the best options for intermediates and advanced riders who want to really get going but don't want annoying camber.
Nils will be happy to advise you personally on the purchase of your next Point 7 sail. Simply send an e-mail to nils@windlounge.de and take your windsurfing sessions to the next level!
Hang Loose,
your Wind Lounge team
