Accessible performance

DESIGN The GSR 7.7 has plenty of volume with a forward profile. The clew eyelets are significantly offset from each other to vary the power, shorten the boom length and influence the leech opening. For 2022, the sailmaker Gunsails has also opted for a reduced material thickness to save weight.

ON THE WATER The Gunsails is very balanced and gives a pleasant feeling of lightness in the hands. At the first gust, the rig develops a nice energy without destabilising the rider, with a homogeneous and constant pull on both hands, like electric. When planing, the rig remains steady in any position. It feels comfortable on both the half and downwind course and only loses a little efficiency on the upwind course. Otherwise, you just let it work, absorb the gusts, adjust the board to the swell and distribute its power in wind holes. In speed tests, the average speed and the associated energy savings make all the difference, and the longer the run, the more obvious this becomes. In race conditions, when it comes to getting away or accelerating within a few metres, the GSR doesn't like to be forced or overdone, especially when the boom is on the lower clew. When jibbing, the Gunsails makes itself invisible, its balance remains exemplary and the camber rotation is without complaint and with a fairly direct power input.

VERDICT The GS-R 2022 is a powerful and accessible sail that features easy planing and excellent balance, both technically and physically. It is suitable for a wide audience, from beginners who appreciate the easy handling to experienced slalom riders who appreciate a fast and dynamic sail for slalom and long distance.

+ Overall performance, balance, price
-  Nothing

The GS-R-7.7 was tested with a new, much lighter mast and still has a nice loose leech, two offset clew claws and a nice pronounced profile in the front of the boom. Still very easy to rig.

ON THE WATER: This GS-R is lively, easy to put into the wind and, above all, less physical than average, due to a less brutal/powerful pull that is nevertheless very powerful in the first 10 meters: it just needs a slightly stronger gust than others. You feel supported, the GS-R positions itself naturally in the wind, like an autopilot, with a forward profile and firmness. It's relatively neutral when closing it, balanced on both hands thanks to a leech that does its job as a decompression valve. And it planes very strongly, with momentum to accelerate, especially in the medium wind ranges and well powered up. It is very direct in handling and consumes less energy than average for those who lack fitness or have a low weight: a plus on long runs. We really liked the small lift effect that allows it to fly over the water and stabilize the board. And when the wind picks up, it remains stable, although the profile is a bit more nervous than others: you shorten the boom considerably by going on the lowest eyelet. You just have to loosen the clew tension a bit to increase the pull on the back hand in wind holes, because the GS-R has less brute force than others, for example when overtaking. Also, the jibe is good, with a good pull on the way out.

CONCLUSION: With its self-adjusting profile in the wind, the GS-R is one of the easiest sails to ride in this technical group. It remains a bit less bulky on long runs, making it suitable for a wide audience that is more into planing than power. Without sacrificing performance.

+ Homogeneous range of use and performance, ratio stability/dynamics in the jibe, light weight, adjustment of camber.
-  More nervous in the strong gust