HORIZON 2026

THE LOWDOWN: Keeping the same shape and outline as the 2023 range, the HORIZON remains unchanged for 2024. With its more classic graphic design, it may not immediately catch your eye, however, the HORIZON aims to impress in other ways. It features a tapestry of strategically placed materials to reduce weight, enhance performance and increase durability. The lightweight square PLY is featured at the top of the sail, while multi-directional X-PLY is placed in areas under higher stress. A large clear X-PLY window is situated in the widest part of the sail, improving visibility for the rider. The HORIZON is the only 5-batten sail in its category and therefore offers ultimate control and stability, while the 5-batten layout is maintained across all sizes ranging from 3.7m to 6.1m. Referred to as the “Chameleon of wave sails”, in sizes up to 5m the HORIZON focuses on radical wave and strong wind characteristics, while in sizes 5.3m and above, it transforms into a punchy power package more suited for bump and jump conditions. The top panel of the HORIZON displays GUNSAILS’ F.R.E.D mark, which indicates the downhaul setting for the sail, while making it as simple and friendly to use as possible. At the clew, there is a double eyelet for tuning power or control, and a concave cut on the sail just above the boom, which helps to reduce the overall boom length on the HORIZON.

PERFORMANCE: Being one of the longest luffs and having the largest boom the HORIZON naturally feels larger in the hands during transitions than others in the category. The HORIZON is noticeably forgiving with its power delivery as it builds in your hands gradually with its pull and effort being centred around the rider. Once up to speed it may not be the fastest sail, but this aids its forgiving nature, giving you time to setup for the next manoeuvre. Breathing as it fills in in the gusts, the HORIZON requires minimal input from the rider to handle the extra power, which gives you, both the time and opportunity to focus on things ahead. Sailing through the lulls, it’s easy to find the power when it’s light, as the width of the sail starts to work by finding the extra power you desire to keep you on the plane and pull you through the lulls, while if paired with a board which holds more volume in the tail, this characteristic would be further accentuated. The extra width in the sail additionally helps to develop your riding - helping to level you up from a first-time beginner wave sailor to a competent intermediate wave sailor where you are beginning to push the power into and out of the turns. This is something the HORIZON does this for you - most noticeably through top turns as it does not require you to move the sail a huge amount to elevate your riding. Instead, it simply finds the power to pull you out of some tricky situations - even with some questionable technique. It naturally wants to flatter your riding and give you that extra punch you have always dreamed of for minimal input. In faster, more critical waves the HORIZON would again flatter the rider, but you need to be more proactive with your input to shift its width between the hands to match the pace and sections that are presented before you.

THE VERDICT: Not needing to be an expert to use, the HORIZON is smooth in its power delivery and naturally wants to flatter the rider with its forgiving nature. Easy to find power in the exits, the HORIZON gives you a little nudge to drive your riding style.

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.

Excellent Value for Money 
The Horizon gets a slightly revised outline this year, with an average reduction of 2 cm in boom length. The sail is made from grid-reinforced material, features a Dacron reinforcement on the mast panel, and has a moderately open leech. 
 
ON THE WATER 
As the heaviest sail in the test group, the Horizon delivers an XL dose of power, yet remains easy to control and offers smooth, progressive acceleration. There’s a bit of softness in the front, while the main body and leech stay firm. This provides stability and efficiency – ideal for powering through onshore conditions, supported by a well-balanced pressure distribution. 
In gusts, the sail offers a solid back-hand pressure, ideal for accelerating, repositioning, and going distances in search of speed – especially beneficial for heavier riders. 
With more clew tension or by switching to the lower clew eyelet, the profile becomes more refined and responsive, softer, and easier to control in powered-up conditions. It then planes more neutrally, with the draft shifting forward and centered for improved control. In surf, it becomes more unobtrusive and rotates cleanly. 
In soft waves and light wind, it benefits from its firm build and solid power – although there’s slightly less twist in the top of the sail compared to others during top turns. It’s not the most agile or the lightest sail in the group, but it gets the job done confidently – thanks to excellent stability that allows for long reaches and steady upwind riding even at low speed. 
The Horizon is a true all-rounder, bringing extra power and control to your bump & jump sessions. 
 
VERDICT 
The new Horizon 5.3 is more playful and agile than before – a true all-round performer with extra power for solid riders and onshore conditions. Back-hand pressure remains easy to manage, especially with fine-tuned clew tension. 
 
Pros: 
- Strong power delivery 
- Excellent stability 
- Solid overall performance 
- Great versatility 
- Excellent price point 
 
Cons: 
- Slightly heavier than other sails 

Tested over a year ago in size 4.7, the Horizon, GunSails' five-batten wave sail, has been tested again in size 5.3, confirming its qualities in terms of stability and flexibility in all conditions... with a pleasant excess of power that will be appreciated by those who, like us, have put on a few kilos. Especially when we trim it with the top eyelet, which GunSails also specifies as a ‘power’ option, the Horizon turns out to be a nice ‘little tractor’ capable of delivering enough thrust to feel comfortable in a range of use ranging from wave to freewave to bump&jump, even in difficult conditions with particularly gusty winds. Although it remains a very well balanced sail that won't get the rider into trouble even in the heaviest gusts, it becomes a little stiffer in feel when trimmed with the top ‘closed’, but the acceleration is really generous and planing is really a breeze. This setup is the card to play in the light and gusty wind conditions of our swells, where every rider will find a powerful sail that allows them to jump close to the shore with great ease, even on white water. When the conditions get a little better and you want to increase the feel of the Horizon, simply select the lower eyelet (‘control’ setting) and the sail immediately becomes less stiff and pleasantly softer, which you will appreciate when surfing in the waves.

At this point, the Horizon manages to convey a feeling of lightness in the arms that almost makes you forget the extra weight compared to the Seal, GunSails' radical four-batten wave sail in the same size. Although it is more manoeuvrable and lighter than in the past... the ‘wave on shore’ behaviour is clearly noticeable and the more direct and powerful response of the Horizon may not be quite as appreciated by lighter or more technical surfers looking for a ‘finer’ and more neutral sail when surfing. But as they say in the Ligurian dialect ... ‘xciúscrà e sciorbi no se péu’ (‘blowing and sucking at the same time is not possible’)... and this is perhaps the only drawback you have to accept when using a sail that is so versatile and that can forgive many mistakes made by wave beginners! The 5.3 has an adjustable vario top, like all the other sizes in the line, except the 4.7, 5.0, 5.7 and 6.1 where it is fixed: the trim is intuitive according to the measurements marked on the sail, which have proven to be correct when using an rdm 400/19 mast.

If you are an intermediate level surfer looking for a well-balanced ‘all terrain wave’ sail, with great stability and ride comfort in strong winds, with the power and flexibility to get you out of all conditions, in the waves at the limit or in the wind and even in the most demanding chop.... the Horizon is your first choice at GunSails!

Plus: quality/price, construction, powerful, responsive, stable in the wind, effective in the surf, fast, smooth, can also be used as a freewave sail
Minus: less fine and neutral than the Seal

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