SIMMER ICON 4.7

OFF WATER DESCRIPTION
The Icon is a classy looking sail. Graphically it stands out (particularly in the blue that we had on test) and its clear that Simmer have not cut corners when it comes to build quality and detailing. Luff length is middle of the group at 413cm, whilst boom length is second shortest (to the Mission) at 159cm.

The foot features a nice integrated pulley block that takes the strain out of downhauling and the fixed head (without locating prong) makes sleeving the mast a fuss free affair. Other notable details include a height scale on the boom cut-out and a plastic badge to keep the luff sleeve open whilst threading the mast through the cut-out. Simmer don’t offer a visual trim system on the Icon.

When it comes to tuning, the Simmer has a lot of versatility. As much as any other sail on test in fact. Its sets (and works!) with a tighter leach (less downhaul) and more outhaul for a gruntier power delivery or with a looser leach (more downhaul) and slightly less outhaul for smoother performance and a lighter feel in the hands.

ON WATER DESCRIPTION
The Icon feels one of the stiffer sails in this group. This was favourable with many of our clones who liked the way the sail held its shape through the lulls but also maintained its shape and stability in stronger gusts.

The great thing about the Icon is that although the foil is relatively stiff, the rotation is not clunky – a negative trait that we fond on many of the other stiffer and fuller profiled sails.
In the hands, the Icon has a powerful, grunty feel. It’s not quite as light in the hands as sails like the Manic and Ice, but it makes up for this by offering a lot more grunt when underpowered. Overpowered the sail copes well and despite feeling powerful, the power delivery is stable and well positioned ensuring that the Icon remains comfortable. Even our lighter weight clones (around 70kg’s) were happy with the Icon in overpowered conditions.

Where the Icon really excels is in its un-tuned wind range. In UK conditions, you often find the wind gusting and lulling throughout your session and a sail that can work effectively through the gusts and lulls without needing to be re-tuned is a big advantage. The Icon stood out as the best in the group for this.
The only slight negative is that the full X-Ply construction does limit visibility through the sail, particularly when wave riding in bright conditions.

OVERALL IMPRESSION
It’s fair to say that Icon was a favourite amongst our Clones. On the beach, the sail offers good tunability (for different feel and conditions), but once tuned and on the water, the Icon performs through the widest range of conditions, with a reassuringly stable and powerful feel.