ENSIS SCORE 5.2M TEST REVIEW 2024

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ENSIS SCORE 5.2M TEST REVIEW 2024

The Verdict

The third generation of the SCORE is light and well-engineered, with a positive forwards drive upfront as soon as the wind fills the canopy. The SCORE remains light and nimble when powered, floating through manoeuvres promoting a relaxed riding style.

The Lowdown

Immediately when unrolling and pumping up the SCORE, it feels very well-engineered, and remains light. Its stitching and shaping are accurate and substantial, while the strut has two ergonomically oval-shaped handles for comfort and easy handling, along with a dump valve for easy packing away. The SCORE is inflated through one valve on the leading edge with a range of 6-8psi, depending on whether you want a softer or stiffer feel. This variation in inflation will influence aspects of the Scores performance and personality.

Along the seams of the leading edge there is some subtly stitched-on abrasion-resistant material to help prolong the life and increase the resilience of the SCORE. It’s not as obvious as others in the category, but it subtlety helps reduce the overall weight of the SCORE. Ensis have also reduced weight in the leading edge by 35% with its Hybrid Leading Edge construction, using a new lighter Dacron material in the wingtips to reduce swing weight while riding, whilst still remaining stiff. Claiming to give a more comfortable ride, more control and direct feeling. Its canopy is well-fitted and taut from its front to midsection, transitioning to a looser and more flexible trailing edge. The draft is deepest in the front of the wing and then shallows out towards the trailing edge, suggesting that the power is primarily generated in the front end of the wing. Three small windows on either side of the strut are made from clear, flexible PVC. Four soft stabilising mini battens on the trailing edge increase stability and reduce flutter in the canopy. Topping off the SCORE is a bungee leash which goes around the wrist and can be attached with one hand and then locked off with Ensis’ leash lock. Again, this is another small, but nice touch to keep the wing within your grasp.

Brand Claim

“The ENSIS SCORE III impresses with its easy handling and direct power. The perfect combination of stability, power and forward drive will get you flying before you know it.”

Performance

For its well-built engineering and features, the SCORE has a natural ability to flag out in a well-balanced manner. Its ability to be flipped over without resistance is impressive, making it easy for the rider to get up and going with minimal fuss. The handles are comfortable with a subtle oval shape to each handle and they are large enough to shift your hands to suit conditions and riding style. Performing and feeling at its best when nicely powered, the noticeable draft upfront at rest in the SCORE fills up and gives a positive pull. Up and foiling, the SCORE holds its shape and profile, showing minimal signs of weakness in the gusts, to provide balanced and stable power you can commit to and work with. If you match the lulls with a slight change in your sailing line to keep the SCORE delivering its grunt upfront, you will be pulled through the lulls having only sacrificed a smidge. With its personality definitely swaying towards light manoeuvrability, the SCORE has the ability to float like a cloud. Its light and natural ability to flag and go neutral when not powered really delivers here, especially when tacking when the grunt upfront helps pull you out of the exit, making it easy and almost effortless to handle. Pushing the SCORE in a lighter breeze, you begin to notice its limits and where some refined technique is needed to extend the light wind capabilities. Not the most natural to pump, the SCORE needs bigger, more exaggerated, and lower cadence pumps with maximum effort to get you up to speed and promote flight. Once up and flying in the lighter end of the wind spectrum, be gentle and more refined with the backhand as due to the grunt and draft being held upfront, it’s easy to over sheet and stall the SCORE. The SCORE has a nice gentle usability that many riders will enjoy, from balanced handling to a floaty character in manoeuvres when out in powered conditions.