Last week a plane landed in Tenerife carrying 21 Point-7 prototypes straight from the factory in Sri Lanka. I happened to be in El Medano and got the chance to take some shots of these sails.

N.B. Please keep in mind that these sails are prototypes, NOT the finished products. The sails have no prints and logo’s on them. The productions sails will have.

First up is the new AC-3.

The AC-3 is a new three camber (free)race sail. The objective is to create a three camber sail that feels like a 2 camber. We’ll have to wait and see whether they succeed.

Next up is the Sado.

The new Sado has much cleaner lines. The flame pattern has changed but the silhouette of a woman (Anna) is still on there. The sail has been constructed with less seams as well.

Then we have the Swell.

Like the Sado, the sail has become a lot cleaner. Less seems and a very nice design overall.

Last but not least, the Swell Technora.

The development team at Point-7 are currently looking at the use of Technora for the Swell. The main question is whether the additional cost of using this material will bring enough benefit to start using it. The Technora that has been used is still transparent but will be black if they decide to use it in the production model. There currently is no talk of producing two different series, one with and one without Technora. If this material is used then it will be used as a standard.

Point-7 tester Andrea rigging the Swell Technora (left) and the Swell (right).

Taking exact measurements of the boom.

The same goes for the extension and luff size.

Owner/Marketeer/Chief Tester Andrea Cucchi and Sail Designer Peter Munzlinger look at there new babies. They are very pleased, I can tell you.

Unfortunately there was no wind to test any of the sails. I’m sure they will soon be putting these sails through their paces.