The Swiss manufacturer Ensis has significantly revised the third generation of its all-rounder Score, with the new model weighing just 2.7 kilos in the 5.2 square metre test size. The model is available in a total of seven sizes from 2.8 to 6.6 square metres.
On land
Despite the weight reduction, the wing has an excellent finish: The seams and wingtips are well protected, the soft and flexible window has been positioned appropriately and offers a very large viewing corridor to leeward. The leash system is also clever: the Velcro is fitted with an additional safety catch that prevents the wing from coming off unintentionally. The handle system is also new: the handles are nice and thin and slightly ovalised, but are attached very close to the strut, which means you have to grip them a little more precisely. The front handle is stiff and therefore offers direct contact, control impulses are passed on 1:1. The consistently high cloth tension is also striking; the wing looks as if it has been moulded from a single piece. The scope of delivery also includes an adapter for the Ensis valve system; the front tube and strut are vented together thanks to a one-pump system, so there is no need to reconnect them. Thanks to an additional release valve on the strut, the air can be released very quickly after the session.
On the water
The Wing also makes an immediate impression on the water. It is well-balanced in the hands and is easy to pump, which results in good light wind performance. For the absolute lower wind range, the Ensis Score can be confidently inflated to a psi lower pressure, as the wing is still sufficiently stiff. Once lifted off, the Score has an ideal mix of flight stability and agility in the hand, which means that even less experienced foilers are not overly challenged in finding the right angle of attack to the wind, yet it can be steered out of its flying position in manoeuvres without much effort. Steering impulses during manoeuvres or ambitious freestyle tricks are passed on 1:1. Only those who are still learning manoeuvres and occasionally miss the mark would wish for a little more space between the strut and the handles. The wind range is at the absolute top level, because in addition to the good light wind performance, the wing also performs well at the upper end of the scale, in strong gusts - no fluttering or warping disturbs the flight! Control is therefore at a high level across the entire wind range. This also applies if you let the wing drift behind you in a swell wave, where it stabilises perfectly and follows you like a well-behaved dog without tugging. When riding downwind, the trailing edge of the wing also has a pleasingly low tendency to sink - a big plus for downwinders.
Ensis Score Wing - the conclusion
With the new Score, Ensis has significantly improved its all-rounder and, above all, taken things up a notch in terms of handling. With its successful blend of light wind power, excellent control and easy handling in manoeuvres, the wing is suitable for a wide target group ranging from beginners to sporty freeriders and ambitious trick riders. And you don't have to shy away from trips into the waves with the Score either.
All-round properties, control
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Ensis Score - technical data
- Test model: Ensis Score 5.2
- Wingspan: 340 cm
- Depth: 194 cm
- Weight (own measurement, without leash): 2.70 kg
- Weight: 519 g/m2
- Available sizes: 2.8/3.5/4.0/4.5/5.2/5.9/6.6 square metres
- Scope of delivery: Wing, bag, leash, pump adapter
- Price (test model): 1069 Euro
- Contact: To the website
- Special features: -
