Point 7 has its ‘Black Team’ – a group of windsurfing pros from around the planet who hook up to train and help design the latest gear. The AC-X 3G is the team’s line of no-cam slalom sails that are marketed as having all the performance of a full-on cam sail but with the easier handling characteristics of a freeride foil.
If you’re hungry for blistering speed, but can’t face having to muscle your way through a session on a full cam rig, then this could possibly be the turbocharged windy toy for you? Well, I just grabbed a Point 7 slalom sail (ACX 3G 7m) and reviewed it to see what all the fuss is about- so here goes.
Any Point 7 product is always going to attract attention at the beach. Their distinct black colour schemes and stealth looking panel layouts mean any sailor riding a Point 7 will stand out on the water and make heads turn.
If you’re a shrinking violet then all this interest could be unwanted – but trust me when I say, this is because the competition are just quaking in their boots!
Having tested a variety of Point 7 sails in the past it was a nice surprise to see how the brand’s manufacturing techniques have improved. They’ve also addressed the weight issue that dogged some of their previous slalom sails.
Although the ACX 3G 7m still isn’t the lightest on the market, it’s by no means the heaviest.
The red on black graphics make the ACX 3G appear truly evil, something any speed freak will relish and lend more weight to the pre-race mind games played out on the beach.
The Point 7 rigs on a standard diameter 460 mast and without the addition of cams, sheaths quickly, efficiently and allows for a quick set up – perfect for those splash and dash sessions when time is of the essence.
I found the ACX set best with moderate downhaul and neutral outhaul. During the review the sail was used in everything from underpowered 15+ knot winds all the way up to 20 – 22 knot blows and seemed to work best as described. I also used an Amex carbon boom to get the most out of the sail once on the water.
Heading onto the water the ACX 3G 7m feels hungry for wind. It’s extremely stable while hunting down gusts and powers up progressively, driving you onto the plane efficiently. It’s not the earliest to get going and may need a few tugs to get fully lit but still reacts well to puffs.
Once up and riding the Point 7 pulls forward in a drivey fashion, but at no point did I feel like I was going to be launched over the handle bars. Unlike full cam sails the ACX 3G felt composed and, for its size, was relatively throw about.
Blasting back and forth the sail offers a decent top speed in marginal conditions but does feel ‘lacking’ when in third gear. It’s only when the breeze properly fills in and you hit full power that the sail shows its true colours.
Fully maxed, the ACX is a full on thrill ride that eats up gusts and just begs the wind Gods to throw it even more. Twisting off efficiently, the leech exhausts all that spent air while the low down turbo charger kicks things into overdrive, dragging the rider ever faster forwards.
During a few sessions it was nice to note that I was happily blasting past other sailors who were on much bigger full cam slalom sails. The efficiency and top end of the point 7 was a pure joy during warp speed drag sessions.
Compared to cam sails the ACX is much more forgiving round the corners. Spot your gust up wind, bear away into a fully lit power gybe, and, as long as you can hold on for the exit, you’ll be rewarded with a stoke inducing planing exit.
If you do lapse in concentration, then although there’s a bit of tug, as you’d expect from a 7m, it’s still a forgiving sail and allows for bad technique. Occasionally you may end up with a dunking but generally you can hold on.
The Point 7 ACX 3G 7m no cam slalom sail is a pure pedigree blasting machine. Equally at home burning and turning on your home stretch of water as mixing it up with a spot of slalom racing; the Point 7 rewards riders of all levels who love warp speed in powered conditions.
As proved by Point 7’s PWA racer Menegatti earlier on in the year (who won the Korean leg of the Slalom World Tour), the black team are starting to make a break for it and are steadily progressing through the ranks, looking to take on the more established brands.
If the ACX 3G is a sign of things to come then Point 7 could be a manufacturer to take note of.
If you’re looking for a new speed machine to add to your quiver then the ACX 3G 7m would be a worthy consideration for 20 knot drag strip days. Couple it with a speed stick and you’ll have yourself one sick setup!