Simmer 2026 blacktip team carbon

I picked up a 5.6m blacktip team carbon in September and today got the chance to use it. It has replaced my previous 5.6m blacktip from 2018 era. This is not a down the line epic review so if you are looking for that then other reviews will be better suited. This is a numpty review at my local bump and jump spot.

For context, I rigged to the exact dimensions on the sail on the recommended sx10 430 mast with sx10 extension as well as an sx10 wave boom. Because I like to be wanky about this stuff is also used a simmer base plate.

first thing to notice, top of sail is tighter than most current wave sails and a lot tighter than my previous blacktips. I notice the boom cutout is also lower than my other simmer sails so I initially rigged the boom too low and had to lift it higher after one run. The new blacktip also has less profile than the older model blacktips. The sail still touches the boom at the window it's more that it's got more skin tension which translates into less belly.

from there it's a completely different beast and bears no resemblance to the previous models. I'd go as far as to say that familiar simmer feel is absent. That's not a bad thing as this sail feels very new, very crisp and very immediate. it's not as relaxed as previous models.

this is what simmer say on their website.

The all new Blacktip Team Carbon will bring your wave sailing to the next level, as it has done for 2025 Wave World Champion , Marc Par?. Engineered with our new ultra-technical carbon fiber scrim, its fibers are precisely aligned along the sail's load paths for instant power transfer and ultimate control. The result: lightning-fast response, massive wind range, and effortless handling - pure performance without compromise.

Key Performance Advantages
Immediate response and control - carbon fibers are precisely aligned with the load paths, distributing force without delay for maximum efficiency in critical manoeuvres. Enormous wind range - the Team Carbon is engineered for maximum efficiency at both the low and high end, giving you full control in overpowered conditions without sacrificing low-end drive.
Effortless performance - light, balanced, and nimble in maneuvers, yet delivers instant response and explosive rotation the moment you commit.

the takeaway from the simmer description above is the use of the word instant. The sail is instant, and this does feel odd at first and made the sail feel very different to what I am used to. I was describing it to a friend as instant, kinda twitchy but now I've read the simmer description twitchy is probably not the right word because it's stable so immediate would be a better descriptor.

The simmer description above also describes the sail as light, balanced and nimble and this is exactly what it felt like. My previous simmer sails all feel light but this is a whole new vibe and doesn't feel anything like my previous blacktip on the water. The sail felt more like a 5m than a 5.6m. During transitions the sail goes completely neutral, immediately, you can then position the sail wherever you want and then power on, immediately. With the previous blacktip I felt i needed to be more forceful as the sail never went fully neutral. This for me is a great outcome, being a heavy guy I rig for more power and that can make sails feel less nimble. The team carbon seems to have power and remain nimble.

Also, carrying the gear back to the rigging spot after the session it was noticeable how much lighter things felt than my other simmer sails.

The team carbon feels like it has more downward pressure than my previous blacktips. maybe because of the tighter leach, not sure, but my board felt more planted so I'll need to move the base back in the track to try and loosen up the board next session.

Now the downsides, the first is the cost... it's not cheap.
The second, is just how responsive the sail is. It maybe too responsive for someone with my skill set or needs. I can see how this sail would excel in big waves, especially down the line. Probably even a fairly handy freestyle sail if that's your thing. But when I'm 70% blasting 30% small surf it's probably not the right tool for the job..

'thing is it feels so good on the water. If I can get use to how fast the sail is to react then I'm gonna love it. Maybe the sail just needs some more use to stretch or maybe it's just me or maybe simmer are already working on this.

will probably take the risk and buy a smaller size at some point.

edit.. notice on the simmer site the blacktip pro has a slightly smoother power delivery than the team carbon.

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AI.Dave said..
thanks for the review, sounds like a good thing!
have you tried any of the more recent blacktips (2023 onwards) ? Wondering how it would compare to these...

Unfortunately no. My most recent is a 2022. I just edited the end of my review as I noticed on the simmer site the blacktip pro has a smother power delivery. Would be interested to try the team carbon and the pro back to bsck.

next purchase most likely a 6.2m evoq

Yeah I'm hoping that's true too. In the stronger gusts today the sail felt more stable than my blacktips. Draft is really locked in. Gotta say I'm surprised at how accurate the simmer description is. There is no marketing hyperbole going on.
'one thing I like about simmer sails is that they can be bagged out in light winds. Keen to try that on the team carbon to see how it feels.