VECTOR 2021

OVERVIEW: The Vector remains current in the Gunsails line-up for the 2021 season, taking many of the development hallmarks from the brand’s World Cup sail – the GS-R, but presenting them in a more accessible 3-cam freerace package. On paper, it is an impressive engine, and represents plenty of bang for your buck – 7 tubed battens; an extended 3D profiled mast sleeve with x-ply and Kevlar stretch control panels incorporated, and various other niceties more commonly seen on the ‘top of the range’ sails, such as a neoprene boom cut-out closure, to reduce water intake when the sail is resting in the water. Rigged on a Select 100 mast, it is surprisingly straightforward to rig, the roller cams slipping onto the mast without much persuasion – just open the pockets, pull on some downhaul tension by hand, and push the cams on with your hands inside the luff sleeve and a strategically placed knee! The brand’s now familiar F.R.E.D. tuning marker is located deep into the upper panel, clearly demonstrating the Vector likes a good amount of tension to be applied. Luff curve and skin tension are high, the main panels low down exhibiting a good amount of depth to their profile, whilst the leech falls away progressively right down to batten six, just above the clew. Tension the tack strap and the Vector is ready, asking to be taken out on the water.

BRAND CLAIM: “The Vector is the sporty freeracer for slalom beginners and ambitious sailors who like to compete in speed duels. Despite its enhanced performance, it is still easy to handle. The GS-R's little brother embodies slalom feeling with the comfort of a Freerace sail.”

PERFORMANCE: Feeling its size initially, the Vector is full bodied and generates a good deal of bottom end power from the off. The centre of effort is low and forward in the draft, meaning the power isn’t obviously useable, but a few pumps and the power punches the board forward and clear of the water easily. Once planing, this pull position pins the board down and feels incredibly comfortable, particularly in gusty winds, transferring any extra energy directly to the board, and by-passing the rider. It’s as if the Vector has a built-in management system, refraining from disturbing the rider with such trivial details such as power and control. Instead, the board just accelerates naturally underfoot, which can’t help but bring a smile to the rider’s face. As the wind increases the Vector remains well mannered and balanced, fast on all points of sail and happiest partnering a freerace or slalom platform that has the minerals to keep up with it. The twist profile in the upper panels and leech is excellent; there’s not a hint of flutter and neither did we experience any real control issues on the one setting, the Vector displaying a stunning natural range. If any refinement was required, we simply dropped to the lower clew eyelet and headed back out, the extra boom rake and leech twist playing its part in assisting top end control. In transition, there is no disguising the Vector’s size or its forced structure but enter with speed and conviction and it will reward during the exit, the cams being a little sticky mid-transition, but rotating fully once pressure builds on the new tack. Well mannered and user-friendly for a three-cam performer, the Vector is certainly a lot of sail for its advertised market price, making it exceptional value for money.

THE VERDICT: A fully fledged cammed performer, the Vector is easy to rig, set and use and thrives on being put through its paces on a freerace or slalom thoroughbred."

With very easy to snap on cambers - here also fit the inexpensive, slightly thicker masts than the "Select" - and easy to find trim, the Vector earns the "Easy Surfing" title.

Above all, because it is also very relaxed to make fast. Because the pressure point is further back, the sail can be laid down "airtight" on the deck even with the mast foot mounted comparatively further back - it positions itself almost automatically and stably in this way, and in gusts, as in wind holes, hardly any corrections are necessary. In sum of top speed and planing potential it is hard to beat. The trim with optical help (trim point "FRED" - fast rigging easy doing) is easy. "I just trimmed it on the Freddy and it does everything right" said one tester - and without any necessary corrections on the clew, because the sail can be surfed over the whole wind range with a loose setting on the clew. It always has a lot of loose leech, so incoming gusts are converted into acceleration without any additional effort, and the sail feels as if it doesn't move at all. As full and stable it is in the hand on the straight - with quite light holding forces - as fluidly rotate the camber and also in the jibe and the perceived weight is surprisingly low.

surf conclusion: Race performance and good handling is served as a reasonably priced menu.

Always constant driving performance

DESIGN: The Vector looks like a racing sail with reduced mast pocket dimensions and lots of tension. The leech is very flexible and there is a very obvious bulge under the boom, which is slightly more forward than the 2020 model. Two clew eyelets are installed about 15 cm apart.

ON THE WATER: The Vector is the most user-friendly of the 3-Camber sport motors, both on the water and in the setup. Set-up and trimming is simplified by smooth tensioning without straining the back and by the unique and precise trim mark. Weight and handling of the Vector are average. Early planing is already ticked off in mini wind gusts and you immediately feel comfortable with the ease of handling, no matter what level you are surfing. The deep profile is right in front of the captain's eye and is a bit scary, but never oppressive. It is above all harmoniously distributed so that the surfer is freed from effort. The Gunsails is neither physical nor technical, and yet the acceleration is there. The rig stands on the board like a wall. What we liked about it was its consistency; active at low speeds, efficient when the wind drops, always there in the gusts, the Gunsails allows you to always be in the game. And if you think you're reaching your limits when the wind picks up, the Vector offers an extra boost; that's the Gunsails bonus.

VERDICT: The Vector 7.8 has proven itself as an all-around performer in freerace. It offers early planing, a decent and balanced pull, and excellent performance without leaving the pilot breathless. Its characteristics allow it to provide an always active ride from light to strong winds by ironing out the irregularities of the wind god. The Gunsails is an ideal tool to switch to freerace.