Delivering power to the rider with real gusto, the E-Pace is easy to use while it offers plenty of power to help you on to the plane and assist you through those all important gybes. The E-Pace delivers serious pace and acceleration when tuned for the conditions.
Sliding the mast into the luff sleeve, the E-Pace SLS rigs with ease and by following well-placed rigging guidelines, it’s difficult to go wrong. With one of the straighter luff curves on test, the E-Pace SLS should offer positive feedback to the rider, while having a spring in its step when pumping. There is considerable batten overlap with the mast which will fill and expand once loaded, offering solid low-end grunt and drive. Upon initial rigging and riding, we did find the E-Pace SLS would benefit from a little more downhaul than suggested. With this adjustment, it naturally falls further away at the leech and doesn’t look out of place, showing a tuneable range that opens up the full spectrum of conditions for the rider. The E-Pace SLS is actually completely different from the original E-Pace, everything is different with its luff curve to profile distribution, draft location and twist pattern. Zero stretch Carbon X-Ply is visible at the clew of the E-Pace SLS, but also subtly at the very top. Located in higher stress areas, it helps direct load in the sail efficiently. Meanwhile X-Ply Plus, which is used in the foot of the sail, and runs the length of the luff, is positioned to increase resistance and minimise stretch, while helping to stabilise the load when riding. The rest of the E-Pace SLS is made up of monofilm. The E-Pace SLS comes in a dark mustard brown and purple and reddish detailing along the luff, while it consists of crisp opaque white panels with two clear ones to provide the rider with visibility. The E-Pace looks and feels exactly like you would imagine a Duotone sail should and it should deliver bold but usable power in a light package.
“The lightest no-cam Freerace film sail on the market yet with reflexive (instead of spongy) feeling and precise steering feedback.”
In your hands and walking down the beach, the E-Pace feels smaller than its quoted 7.3m size thanks to its short boom, which helps to make the sail feel compact. At rest the E-Pace sits flat, but that instantly changes as soon as the belly of the sail fills with wind to deliver punchy power with a distinctive forward pull that you would usually experience from a cambered sail, helping you to drive whichever board you are riding onto the plane, while allowing you to slot back into the straps in complete control. When perfectly powered, the E-Pace SLS feels light in the hands and will do a lot of the work for you, which allows you to focus your attention on what lies ahead. Comfortably powered, the E-Pace SLS remains stable at speed and urges the rider to push as hard as they dare. Meanwhile, through the lulls, the E-Pace SLS low-end performance is impressive with its natural draft sat low down, while its straight luff curves offers more feedback and spring when working the sail a little harder. The E-Pace SLS will definitely get you up and going before others on the water and I dare say that you could possibly rig a size smaller than others on the water. Pushing the boundaries of the E-Pace SLS in gusty conditions, the E-Pace SLS does require some essential tuning to keep the power stable to ensure you remain in control. The E-Pace SLS also begins to feel a little big and weighty when overpowered with its lower leech holding onto a lot of the power, however, quick and careful tuning will eradicate this and it is definitely a sail you rig for the gusts. Through the gybes, the E-Pace SLS punchy power is a welcomed personality trait, sending you into the gybes with as much speed and power as you dare. It then pulls you out of the gybe with gusto, giving you every chance to exit fully planing. Rotating the rig is a delight as when the rig goes neutral, its smaller-in-the-hands feel returns for an effortless and easy transition and rig flip. Rigged for the upper end of conditions, the E-Pace SLS offers real usability with easy to find power and pace that will give you the opportunity to challenge at the front of the pack.
DUOTONE E-PACE 7.3M SLS TEST REVIEW 2024
Price: £909
Size: 7.3m
Luff: 474cm
Boom: Min 200cm/Max 206cm
Battens: 6
Ideal Mast: 460 Platinum
Available sizes: 6.2, 6.6, 7.3, 7.8
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