X-mas has come early this year. Not only do we already have snow, but there are a lot of other goodies hiding behind the X-mas tree. Brand new 2010 Ezzy gear!

I’ve had the opportunity to test several brands of wave sails at the OTC over the past months. There are several brands I like sailing but the Ezzy Wave Panther really caught my attention. I like that it’s soft and powerful at the same time. I liked them so much that I decided to switch from my North Sails Ice (which I always enjoyed sailing) to the Panther. Jeroen from The Essential Store was very happy with my decision and offered to give me some much needed support (running a website isn’t free, you know). This week I went to pick up my new sails and masts.

For 2010 I will be sailing:

• 4.2
• 4.2
• 5.2
• 6.0

I also got two Ezzy Hookipa masts:

• 400
• 430

I couldn’t wait to unrap my present and rigg them. I rigged them in the living room as it’s freezing outside.

First my 4.2

My 4.7

My 5.2

My 6.0 hasn’t arrives yet, so Jeroen was kind enough to lend me a 2009 5.8. I hope to pick the 6.0 in a few weeks.

Aren’t they beautiful? I checked out the Ezzy rigging video before I rigged them the first time. Here are my first impressions based on rigging them (as opposed to actually sailing them).

• The mast goes in with a little effort.
• Be sure to check whether the top has gone in correctly.
• The sail requires more effort to downhaul then I expected. The result is great though. Loose leach and a nice pre shaped sail.
• I had some trouble seeing the trim markings, and whether there was enough loose leech, on the 2010 sail. It’s good I have a 2009 sail to compare with. Somehow it’s easier to see on the 2009. Maybe it has to do with the use of different materials. I’ll have another look once I get to a beach.
• The use of the trimropes at the outhaul makes setting your boom to the right extension and outhauling easy.
• De-rigging is as easy as rigging.
• I have had a lot of sails that would wrinkle even the first time I de-rigged them. With the Panther no wrinkles.
• I’m also impressed with the build quality and use of re-inforcements.

N.B. Did you know that each Ezzy sail is fully rigged and inspected before it leaves the factory? I’m not aware of any other brand that does this.

These are just my first impressions. I’ll write full reviews for each product once I’ve had the chance to use them a few times.

I didn’t want to leave you without showing my new Streamlined RDM extender. Jeroen thought this would be better for me as he worries that I might destroy any other extensions (probably due to my weight and length).

I can’t wait to go sailing. Let’s hope the temperatures will soon rise so we can hit the beach again.