GUNSAILS ZOOM 7.7m TEST REVIEW 2024
GUNSAILS ZOOM 7.7m TEST REVIEW 2024
GUNSAILS ZOOM 7.7m TEST REVIEW 2024
The Verdict
Offering impressive ease of use and rigging, the ZOOM offers comfortable and effortless freeriding fun. Capable of being pushed that little extra, to offer fast, free and uncomplicated enjoyment on the water, the ZOOM was a real standout in the no cam freeride category and perfect for the weekend warrior.
The Lowdown
The ZOOM is impressively easy to rig, not requiring brute strength to apply the downhaul to the recommended setting indicated on the top panel with the GUNSAILS FRED mark. The correct luff and boom lengths are precisely located and presented in a simple form to guide you. When rigged and standing back from the ZOOM, it boasts a classic GUNSAILS appearance with shades of blue and red accents making it standout. An obvious draft is ready to open up with a clear overlap of the lower battens and the mast, along with a large clear window, which ensures the rider is aware of their surroundings at all times. The ZOOM is packed full of neat details to maintain its user-friendly nature, while still delivering excellent performance. Cross batten technology from the second batten up stabilises the centre of effort in the rig, while also protecting the sail as it rubs against the boom during pumping and riding. Additionally, a reduced boom length helps keep the ZOOM manageable through manoeuvres and in general sailing too. The makeup of the ZOOM is relatively simple, with X-Ply being used in harder-wearing areas such as the foot, leech and the luff to prolong its life, while also providing extra stability. The rest of the sail is made up of lighter monofilm to help reduce the weight and improve usability for the rider. The ZOOM appears to be a sail that suits the vast majority of people and is even available in the RE-ZOOM, which is the same design and shape, but made from recycled materials, which is another nice touch of eco-friendly development by GUNSAILS.
Brand Claim
“The camber less freerider is optimally balanced for any wind range and thus it is absolutely versatile. This plug & play sail stands for uncomplicated windsurfing.”
Performance
As with previous GUNSAILS we have tested, the ZOOM offers exceptionally gentle and smooth power delivery, with power that’s easy to find as and when it is required, while it stays neutral in the hands. The nature of the ZOOM gives you the time to squeeze on the power at a pace that suits you, as the belly of the sail gradually inflates, allowing you to get settled before easing your way into the straps. Sheeting in and fully committed, the ZOOM remains stable, granting the rider permission to extend away from the rig into an efficient stance, while driving the board as hard and as fast as you want. The ZOOM glides through the lulls with ease and you can access a bit of extra power by squeezing on the backhand. As your confidence grows this is an asset that can be used through both the lulls and the gusts as you increase your commitment to the ZOOM to eke out an even higher top speed. In general, the ZOOM remains stable, while naturally tuning itself on the fly, meaning that it doesn’t require vast alterations to your stance to get the most out of the sail. The ZOOM rotates with ease through the transitions and as long as you enter the gybe well powered the rig will remain light and easy to manoeuvre. In the event that you find yourself gybing through a lull, then you can take advantage of the ZOOM’s pumpability, as it efficiently twists off uniformly, to provide you with a bit of extra power to get you promptly back up to speed. The ZOOM is a wonderful sail, it’s incredibly user-friendly, yet it remains capable of going through the gears as required.
GUNSAILS ZOOM 7.7m TEST REVIEW 2024
VITAL STATS
Price: €595
Size: 7.7m
Luff: 484cm
Boom: 208cm
Battens: 6
Ideal Mast: 460 Select
Available sizes: 4.8, 5.2, 5.6, 6.0, 6.4, 6.9, 7.2, 7.7, 8.2
OTHER SAILS IN THIS TEST:
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