SEAL 2022

A GUNSAILS windsurf sail is a combination of selected and high-quality materials, combined with years of experience and construction knowhow. Sail designer Renato Morlotti is responsible for the performance and quality of the sails. In his working environment he has optimised everything down to the smallest detail. Every piece of material in the sail is continuously improved in terms of durability and weight savings. Only a closer look reveals the quality, good manufacturing and durability of a GUNSAILS sail.

To ensure the functionality, easy handling and durability of our products, we have developed various features over the years and established them as our standard. The dedication and precision of our sail designer Renato Morlotti are once again evident in the individual details. An important factor that makes our quality possible and distinguishes us from other sail brands.

Everyone who still thinks Gunsail's sails are a bit heavier should be convinced of the opposite by now. Despite the well known features, the sail also beats the 3 kilo mark, and the price advantage is indisputable anyway. The trim point in the top helps to find the right luff tension, moderate tension at the boom is enough to cover a wide wind range. The Seal is one of the absolute best all-rounders in the group: it immediately develops a full power in the start-up phase and finds the right angle to the wind almost by itself, while at the same time being very light in the hand. Even when powered up, it retains this agile feeling, remains controllable for a long time even in gusts and doesn't require much adjustment of the trim as conditions change. In gybes, duck jibes and other maneuvers, the battens rotate smoothly and the Seal doesn't show any weaknesses when riding waves: It moves through the turn with a nice drive and always provides a slight pull on the sail hand - this helps to get up to the lip of the wave with power even in onshore wind.

surf conclusion: Whether in the Ijsselmeer Chop, during a jump session on the Baltic Sea or in thick ocean waves - the Seal is ready for all outrages and recommends itself with power, easy handling and large wind range for a maximum target group.

+ Wind range, handling, control
o nothing
- nothing

DESIGN: The Seal makes great use of Square-Ply, a lightweight mesh film, with a mix of different mesh film variations. The Dacron portion along the mast has been extended and the mast pocket adapted. The Seal needs little tension, unfolding its shape and profile when inflated by the wind.

ON THE WATER: The Seal is easy to adjust, with little tension at the mast foot and moderate pull on the boom. The sail shows a tight leech with hardly any loose, which is due to the exact in-house trim specifications. More than ever, Gunsails can keep up with other brands when it comes to weight: only 3 kg for this 4.5! What is true on the scales is confirmed on the water with a sail top that is free of any stress. The Gunsails offers a quickly noticeable pull, which has the advantage of offering a dashing start, mobility on the water and, above all, a good grip in the hand. The pull is well distributed in front of you and you feel a pleasant smoothness. The power is controllable by opening the sail, with the back hand you dose the charging of the power or its neutralisation. So you can lighten the edge of your board while surfing to turn tight or, on the contrary, maintain propulsion and support to lengthen the radius. The Seal is not an on/off sail, but an all-round sail that approaches it. As usual, the Seal has a good hold in strong winds, where even with its 4 battens it loses none of its stability.

VERDICT: The Gunsails is an all-rounder with a preference for wave riding due to its light weight and a plus in manoeuvrability that comes from its OFF capabilities. As with the weight, the Seal's agility means it stands up to comparison with the market leaders. The Gunsails focuses on smooth responses and neutrality to feel comfortable in a wide range of conditions and practices.

+ Propulsion, manoeuvrability, wind range, price
-  Simple mast sleeve and features

CONTROLLED HANDLING

Lighter since last year, this sail is made entirely of X-Ply except for the Dacron mast panel and is one of the lighter sails on the market at 2.9 kg. The loose leech is above average, with a good trim mark.

ON THE WATER: The Seal is a lightweight sail with a pronounced profile in the forward area, which subsequently becomes flatter, with good propulsion and momentum in acceleration. One appreciates the power varying for a 4.5, which is snappy and softer to ride with good pull when you give little tension, and finer, more direct when you increase the tension on the boom. On the wave it brings the forward drive to accelerate on the wave slope, and then neutralizes pretty well, light on the back hand with great maneuverability in turn combinations: It's much better than the Horizon without being as responsive as the best of the bunch. Other strengths include high profile stability and good cruising speed to get out of foam and current. All in all, the Seal offers a good compromise between flexibility, neutrality and stability to cover a wide range of conditions, from side off to on shore, whether you're light or heavy. It's not the softest or smoothest of the bunch when landing jumps, chop or accelerating at the top of the wave, but that's what gives it the momentum it needs in soft waves and on shore. Add to that the ability to self-stabilize in the wind and control itself for quite a long time.

CONCLUSION: With its power/neutrality dosage, this Seal belongs to the safe representatives with a nice range of use. You sail above average and keep control when the wind picks up. It is complete, efficient and suitable for everyday use, light and, given the construction, also very well positioned in terms of price.

+ Range of use, stability/maneuverability ratio, power, speed, light weight, versatility in the wave, price.
-  Not as playful as the best, not the softest sail.