HORIZON

The Horizon is GunSails' five-batten "power wave" sail that excels in stability and versatility in all conditions.... its strong points.
A balanced and flexible wave sail, the right alternative to the more radical Seal, for European conditions, also suitable for freewave or bump&jump and the ideal choice for medium/heavy surfers. I don't want to say that at my venerable age, I was put in the medium-heavy category.... sigh... but something must have been added to the Horizon in this 2023 model year... because I immediately found a great feel with this sail!
But let's go step by step: easy and intuitive trimming, equipped with the "recommended" mast from GunSails, rdm 400/19, since in this size the vario top seems "strange". A look at the technical data of the Horizon 2023, where the small sizes 3.7, 4.0, 4.2 and 4.5 have the adjustable vario top, 4.7 and 5.0 have the fixed top, the 5.3 has the adjustable vario top, while the two large sizes 5.7 and 6.1 still have the fixed sail top.
This suggests that the 4.7 and the 5.0 are specifically designed to get the best performance with rdm 400/19 masts. And indeed, the combination immediately seemed ideal, with a well-proportioned and balanced sail that offers lightness in the arms as the first feel. The feel of the Horizon, which in the past may have seemed a bit "stiffer" than other Wave sails from the same brand as the Seal, is now pleasingly "softer", but the sail remains direct in its response. Low wind performance is generous, but not so much as to compromise stability and ride comfort in strong winds, which are the traditional strengths of this sail. The fast planing and generous acceleration allow it to perform well in the light and gusty winds that often occur.
This is where the Horizon's flexibility comes into its own, allowing any advanced surfer to ride it with great pleasure even as a freewave or bump-and-jump sail in the most challenging breezes and chop. However, when it is used in its "favorite area", namely in the wave, the "wave on shore" spirit of the Horizon becomes clear: when surfing, it guarantees sufficient thrust to pull up the bottoms at full speed, combined with a neutrality in the cut backs that allows you to focus exclusively on what you want to do with the board. A sail that is forgiving many mistakes made by those starting out in wave riding, but also a sail that is significantly more maneuverable and lighter at this size than in the past.... we are dealing with a new best seller from GunSails.

Plus: Quality/price, construction, performance, responsive, stable in the wind, maneuverable and effective in the surf, fast, smooth, can also be used as a freewave sail
Minus: Little or nothing to report

Premium power and stability

This 5 battens Horizon is characterized by a deep profile in the front part of the sail, keeping the construction of different X-PLY types with more or less spacing and a Dacron mast panel.

ON THE WATER: The Horizon is the most powerful sail of this group, with a permanent belly on the front hand and slightly heavier, the Horizon is also very lively in acceleration. The heavier you are, the bulkier the board, the lighter the wind, on shore etc, the more it shines with its firm/stable pull à la XXL. You have more power to ride the wind at low speeds and get through whitecaps and other wind holes. The five battens make for a more stable ride suitable for onshore conditions and bump&jump or even heavy freeride conditions, but this comes at the expense of reactivity and the ability to neutralize in the waves. The Horizon is less forgettable in waves and becomes more physical, more limited and less accurate in fast waves. It prefers small to medium wave conditions when resources are needed to accelerate, jump higher and reposition faster. So it comes through much better than others on freewave boards and with stretched scoops. You can make it lighter and refine it by tightening it more at the clew and passing it through the bottom eyelet. It's less flexible and more stable, you shouldn't hesitate to go down a size quickly to take advantage of the bottom power of the sail.

CONCLUSION: Powerful, very firm and ultra-stable, the Horizon aims for efficiency and performance in more marginal waves by sacrificing some lightness/responsiveness/neutrality with its more locked-in handling. The Horizon is less specialized, but a versatile wave sail that can be adapted to as many different spots as possible.

+ Power, stability, range of use, liveliness, power surfing, speed and repositioning, price.
-  Less light and responsive than the 4 batten sails with still a power rest: less neutral.

A kind engine

DESIGN The Horizon range is divided into Wave/Strongwind and Freewave designs. Its profile, framed by 5 battens, is distinctly elongated. The entire body is covered with X-Ply fabric. The narrow strip of the Dacron mast panel features a vertical zone of X-Ply. 2 closely positioned clew eyelets are provided.

ON THE WATER The Gunsails 5 batten Wave is rigged to trim specifications with little tension at the mast base. The profile is only visible when the sail is inflated with wind and spreads out across the width. When the sail is facing you the pressure is evened out. This less pronounced profile is tolerant when placing the harness lines. The felt weight is more than correct. With ease and softness you get into planing without being overwhelmed. The main feature of the Horizon is its smooth ride, unimpressed by the elements. You stay harnessed in tight and can plow through your spot with comfort and stability. Wind variations have no effect on you. It is a bump & jump riding style with a very good balance in the air. In the wave, the Horizon has a surplus of kindness and traction to make short and radical turns. Rather ride down the wave slope with your back to the wave and pull long turns. Casual surfers will appreciate the reassuring full X-Ply setup and vario mast top - an argument for those who can't afford the perfect mast.

CONCLUSION You don't have to be an expert to get along with the Horizon, as it is very open to the masses. It is more of a small sail for the strong wind than a waveriding sail. Its behavior is balanced and smooth, allowing for accessible off the beaten path riding on freewave boards or waveboards for those who use these types of boards in high wind.