- 2010 Sail Tests

Naish Session

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The Windsport test team just got their hands on a quiver of 2010 Naish Sessions and were excited about trying them out. The Session is designed to be the most pure down-the-line wavesail in Naish's lineup. It's ultra-light low drafted feel is intended to work best in the hands of side-off shore wavesailors and lightweights but we found it's supreme ability to go neutral during maneuvers also makes it an excellent option for efficient freestylers.

The Ride:

The first thing you'll notice when you head out on the 2010 version of a Session is it's incredibly light feel. In fact, it feels a good half-meter smaller than the similar size sail from one year ago. This comes not only from draft placement but also from the use of a new X-166 Ultralight scrim in the top section. You'll swear you grabbed the wrong sail until you realize that the proper power found in last years model is still there. The Session powers up best in the hands of efficient or lighter weight sailors. Power hungry windsurfers might prefer the Naish Force, but taller freestylers (like Naish teamrider Wyatt Miller for example who rides Sessions) can find all the power they need providing they have the efficient skills required. The pull is slightly crisper than last years Session, making it an excellent crossover sail between waves and bump & jump conditions.

Transitions:

Here is where the weight-loss will be most appreciated as the Session gives you the feeling that you can try anything. It depowers nicely allowing you to position it properly before trying your intended maneuver (whether it be in freestyle or waves). The sail was not as easy to duck when powered during advanced maneuvers as some more freestyle-oriented sails. In the hands of a back and forth gyber, the Session will feel super light and still have enough pull from up-top to rip jibes (providing they stick to the recommended downhaul setting and not over downhaul it).

Rigging & Tuning:

The Session's leech does not seem to fall off as cleanly as in previous years - downhaul seems to add more flop between the top two battens instead of progressing down the leech. However draft height is still easily manipulated with downhaul (ie. more downhaul will lower the draft/pull). Compared to last year's model, with added downhaul the extra top flop makes it harder to tune out the sail's dive when ducked during advanced maneuvers... so we prefered it rigged with a slightly tighter leech (more to the downhaul spec).

The Bells & Whistles:

Durable and light looks to be what Naish is going for with a 100 per cent grid construction using the new X-166 Ultralight scrim up high in the sail where swing weight will affect you most.

The new clew design of a titanium clew ring is intended to minimize weight and allows for a more compact boom length.

A new roller tack pulley is the best in the business allowing for an easy 4:1 loop-and-go for the fastest rigging experience ever. The pulley is turned 90-degrees to lineup more easily with most extensions and makes 6:1 downhauling easier than ever.

Final Word:

By using a new x166 cloth in the 2010 Session, Naish has found a way to make one of the best wave sails on the market simply feel even lighter.

North Duke 5.9

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:14:00 -0400

North Duke 5.9

On the water: The Duke is North’s high-performance freestyle wavesail boasting the PWA Freestyle World Champion Gollito Estredo as its signature rider. On the water the sail powers up quickly from a noticeable amount of seam shaping, but has a soft feel providing good feedback from the wind that experienced riders can make the most of. A middle-of-the-road draft height balances well on our test boards in the 100-litre range. In particular, the Duke felt great on the less-efficient freestyle wave boards that needed an extra nudge to get up onto a plane. In transitions, it depowers best for tricky freestyle moves when tuned-up with a fair amount of outhaul. When bagged out with less outhaul it holds power deeper into a jibe, but the sail cannot be thrown around as easily.

Rigging: North has created informative guides for every tuning point on their sails. Most importantly, the maximum and minimum markers are perfectly placed with every tester finding their happy place within these guidelines. When used by bigger riders or when matched with bigger boards, we suggest downhauling to the min setting, while more efficient riders preferred the slippery and efficient feel found at the max setting. This makes the Duke, or any North, super easy to rig and makes it one of the few sails that will be set perfectly the first time you hit the water with it. We tested the Duke with the recommended North 430 SDM, but all of North’s manoeuvre-oriented sails are now compatible with RDM masts as well.

Final word: The Duke is a true freestyle sail blending low-end punch with a neutral feel in transitions.

Goya FXR 7.5

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:23:00 -0400

Goya FXR 7.5

On the water: The FXR line of freeride sails extends all the way from 3.8 to 9.0 m2 with the smaller models having six battens and this 7.5 m2 and larger having seven. This additional batten increases the stability by helping to lock the shape into the sail. If you’re looking for user-friendly speed then this is a sail for you. It was one of the fastest no-cam sails in the test, with acceleration that maxed out most of our freeride boards. Like other Goya sails we have tested in the past, there is a bit of softness to the feel. This helps increase the low-end power by letting the sail expand quickly once sheeted-in. The only downside is it can become a bit unruly in gusts beyond its wind limit. The softness also makes it one of the smoothest-rotating seven-batten sails we’ve ever ridden. The FXR has the large foot and look of a true freeride sail, but during transitions it pleasantly adopts more of a wavesail feel than sails this fast normally exhibit.

Rigging: It takes a firm yank to get the FXR downhauled to the recommended setting shown by the on-sail guide. You’ll notice the leech loosens up nicely and this is the setting where most will find the best performance. If you own a wider or a less efficient board or are a heavier rider, then decrease the downhaul slightly to raise the draft and increase power. Adding downhaul will increase the wind range slightly but we found ourselves sticking to the recommended medium setting most of the time. Like all Goya sails the FXR is well reinforced and built with a number of small details (like the Dacron head) that go a long way towards making it last for years.

Final word: A smooth and efficient sail to help you go faster than you ever have before.

Aerotech Charge 5.5

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:48:00 -0400

On the water: Even though this is Aerotech’s hardcore wavesail, it still has plenty of speed and efficiency for bump-and-jump use as well. The batten below the boom is cut a little lower than on most wavesails and helps keep the lower part of the sail stable. Its low draft and unique clew-cut also combine to make the Charge feel way lighter than the beefy all-grid construction would imply. The flat profile and soft head give it the neutral handling in transitions needed in wave and freestyle conditions. These features also make it more reactive to fluctuations in the wind, so that advanced riders are never without feedback from the sail and can use the wind for maximum efficiency. We recommend that heavier riders (unless you are an efficient sailor) tune to the minimum downhaul setting to give it a slightly deeper draft.

Rigging: Despite a huge recommended tuning range, the Charge is fairly easy to figure out thanks to the clean manner in which the leech twists-off. This makes it much easier to actually observe what adding downhaul tension is doing to your sail, plus the interactive rig guide will help you remember your preferred tuning setting from one session to the next. It doesn’t take much rope movement to make adjustments, so take care while duplicating your favourite setting. The straight luff curve leads to less outhaul tension, so there isn’t a large adjustment range. As with the downhaul, familiarity will let you see and feel minor adjustments.

Final word: The Charge is an efficient wavesail that’s ready to rip some turns.

Naish All Terrain 6.0 and 5.0

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:57:00 -0400

Naish All Terrain 6.0 and 5.0
On the water: Naish has put their entire sail range on a serious weight-loss program for 2010 with impressive results. The use of X-166 Ultralight scrim and a new clew configuration makes the All Terrain noticeably lighter than previous editions. As the name suggests, this is a true crossover sail that is equally at home on flat water or waves. The high draft, moderate boom length and slightly lower foot batten make it an ideal match for wider-shaped boards and huskier riders, especially when rigged to the minimal downhaul setting. However, average- to lighter-weight riders and owners of narrower boards should tune to the maximum end of the downhaul range for a lighter and more manageable feel. In transitions, the All Terrain willingly drives you with plenty of power into any jibe or jumping manoeuvre you can think of. If not for the slightly lowered foot batten this would be an ideal freestyle sail.

Rigging: Not only has Naish tweaked how it builds a sail to make it lighter, they have also worked diligently to add a brilliant new downhaul pulley. This pulley is set perpendicular to the sail making it more intuitive and easier to thread. In fact, if you make use of its 4:1 system you will never have to remove the rope from your extension’s pulleys and cleat. It might not sound like much, but this little differences can gain you more runs per session.

Final word: A powerful performer designed for all conditions from flat water to waves.

RRD Evolution 6.5

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:00:00 -0400

RRD Evolution 6.5
On the water: To most windsurfers RRD (Roberto Ricci Designs) is known as a highly regarded board brand. Over the last few years the company gradually pieced together a sail and rig component line with a similar performance-driven attitude. The Evolution is a freeride sail designed for all-round performance on flatter water. Its most striking quality is its lightness in weight. Most sails at this size have at least one more batten than the Evolution’s five. This made it a joy in transitions and the most loved sail of intermediate testers who found it more manageable than any other “big” sail in the test. It was not the fastest sail, but it’s one of the most fun to ride. For use on wider boards and by heavier riders, we downhaul to the recommended setting for a higher and deeper draft with more power. On the speedier more efficient test boards, we added tension slightly beyond the recommended setting for a crisper and more slippery feel. This also allowed it to handle more wind than you’d expect of a sail with five simple rod battens.

Rigging: You won’t find a sail easier to rig than the Evolution. With no-cams and only five battens, it goes together with minimal effort, especially with an RDM. There is a relatively large downhaul range and it takes a decent amount of adjustment to produce a noticeable reaction from the sail. We did find a little bit of leech flutter at maximum downhaul when we were trying to pit it against the raciest sails in the test. It’s also worth noting that the Evolution can also be rigged on a SDM.

Final word: The Evolution is a simple and light sail that will help any freerider progress as quickly as possible.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Hot Sails Maui Liquid 7.5, 6.0 and 5.0

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:35:00 -0400

Hot Liquid 7.5

On the water: The Liquid line is looking to make a windsurfer’s life easier than ever before. Without compromising performance, it spans a large range of sizes with each model tailored to best suit the conditions it will likely see. The 7.5 m2 has a moderate boom length and finds a good balance between a powerful and a slippery efficient feel. The draft is high enough to work on wider boards, yet it feels very light in the hands, at least until becoming overpowered. There is a bit of a wavesail-like softness here that works with the light feel to make it one of the most enjoyable big sails to jibe. This lightness and soft-feel also give it a playful manner letting you throw the rig around while waterstarting or trying carving tricks. There aren’t many sails this big that make these things as easy.

Rigging: When we unpacked the box from Hot Sails Maui we were a little confused to find a 430 centimetre RDM as the longest mast accompanying a 7.5 m2 sail with a recommended luff length of 475 centimetres. That is until we found the 45 centimetre Hotrod extension and were assured that it was OK to extend it all the way for this sail. Despite some initial hesitation, after being rigged-up and sailed for a few weeks, we forgot our worries and treated this setup like any other sail. We would have liked to try a little more downhaul at times, but the maxed-out extension length is appropriate for all but the windiest days.

Final word: The Liquid 7.5 can rigs on a 430 centimetre RDM and feels lighter than the competition.

Hot Liquid 6.0 and 5.0

On the water: In the 6.0 m2 and 5.0 m2 sizes the Liquid’s draft gets lowered slightly, but they still will work well on boards that have two rear straps. Downhauling the sails to their extreme lowers the draft enough to be ridden on single rear strap boards as well, but they might not be the best choice in the Hot Sails Maui range for smaller riders. A wavesail-like softness is present allowing feedback from changes in the wind to be transferred to the rider. This adds comfort for anyone riding in choppy conditions and can also help more advanced riders get more performance from the sail. Having six battens in a 5.0 m2 is noticeable compared to other sails its size, but it doesn’t noticeably harm its weight, and it actually helps maintain a consistent feel through the entire quiver. From 5.0 m2 up to 7.5 m2, you’ll be dialed in every time.

Rigging: Hot Sails Maui once again confused us a bit by only sending the top half of a 400 centimetre RDM to go with a complete 430 centimetre RDM for rigging the quiver. We have used mis-matched length masts ourselves to help minimize our gear, but it is rarely given as a recommended setup. The result was a 415 centimetre mast to be used on the 5.0 m2. It worked brilliantly and this smaller sail ended up being everything that the 6.0 m2 was on the 430 centimetre mast. And if you are really looking to save money this entire quiver can be rigged on the 430 centimetre RDM.

Final word: The Liquid hits the mark as a go to model for all gear minimalists who want to maximize their fun with lightweight easy-to-rig sails.

The Quiver

Feel: This quiver from Hot maintains the most similar feel from 7.5 to 5.0 of all the brands in the test. The similar elasticity, depower and even the draft height gives riders a familiar pull to balance against. This is something any level of rider will appreciate.

Rigging: The Liquids are incredibly easy to rig with the recommended settings being the true mid-point of the tuning range. All three responded to tension in the same manner and the effort needed to pull was relatively light.
Sail sizing: The jumps in the quiver provided are as big as you can go and still be covered for all winds. Any larger and you’d find one sail too big and another too small for certain winds. To get the sails to make these jumps you also need to do some fine-tuning for the conditions, which can be confusing for less-technical riders.

Rig parts: We were a little hesitant about using the 7.5 m2 with the 430 centimetre mast and extremely long extension, but it worked without an issue. The 5.0 m2 is designed to work on a 430 centimetre mast, if necessary, making this the biggest sail range to fit on one mast.

Sailworks NX 7.1

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Windsurfing racers, and in particular slalom sailors, want a sail with great top-speed potential and a lot of wind range. We don't get many pure race sails at the annual Windsport equipment test so we were happy to get our hands on the Sailworks NX 7.1 in Hood River at the AWSI industry demo.

Marketing info:

The NX Series is Sailworks high end, cambered racing sail. Refined from years of progressive evolution and tuned for competition by top North American racers Bruce Peterson and Dale Cook.

According to Sailworks designer Bruce Peterson, "New 9.9 and 10.8-meter sizes coming from my Nationals FW championship
prototytpe. All other NX sizes continuing geometrically as in 2009, but with some batten tweaks and minor construction upgrades."

Featuring advanced seam shaping and luff tensioning characteristics, the NX Sails has a highly developed range of settings. Racers and aggressive power sailors will revel in its wide power band and stable control. Sizes 5.4 and 6.2 are for high wind slalom, and are cut for reduced diameter masts (RDM); sizes 7.1 and 8.2 are cut light wind slalom sailing and fit on standard diameter masts (SDM). Sizes 9.1 through 10.8 are cut for Formula sailing.

At Speed:

This is a truly fast sail and feels best on a slalom board that can keep up to it. The NX can hold down a ton of wind and simply turns gusts into even more board speed without any pull or work on the rider whatsoever. To tell you the upper wind capability of the NX, riders easily made the jump to powered-up 5.3-m wavesails in the same wind they were enjoyably blasting on the NX 7.1! The moderate draft height makes it a perfect match for all slalom boards and narrow to moderately-wide speedy freeride shapes.

Jibing & Maneuverability:

It feels a little heavy until it is up to speed and thus supported with wind, but nothing drastically different from most other cambered sails. It jibes well with the mid-height draft prefering you to be aggressive upon entry (so don't be afraid to commit to the carve... it likes it!) However, the NX will not punish you with a catapult if you don't commit right away (so there is some room for error). The cams rotate very well for such a stable sail and even with the outhaul backed off and the draft set pretty deep it rotates cleanly.

Rigging & Tuning:

This NX 7.1 was rigged for us by designer Bruce Peterson and we didn't feel that messing with the downhaul in the windy conditions would help us any (it is a race sail after all). Using the adjustable outhaul, we found it easy and very effective to tune for sailing upwind and downwind.

Final Word:

The Sailworks NX 7.1 is a user-friendly (no double luff sleeve), fast and rangy slalom sail!

Bruce Peterson talks about the NX and entire Sailworks range (in only 4-minutes):

Sailworks Retro 7.5 and 6.0

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:09:00 -0400

Sailworks Retro 7.5 and 6.0
On the water: We have tested the Retro year after year in the 7.5 m2 size, so it was great to try a smaller version of one of our favourite freeride sails. Just like the larger size, the 6.0 m2 gives you an incredible tuning range allowing it to transform from an incredible powerhouse into a cam-like race sail as you increase downhaul tension. The draft is relatively high, so both match best with boards that have slightly wider tails and two rear footstraps. The powerhouse setting is perfect for taller sailors or for getting stubborn boards up onto a plane. There is still decent power in the racier setting too, only now you have the stability and efficiency that no other no-cam sail in the test can provide. The only downside of all this straight-line goodness is that the rotation is more noticeable compared to other no-cam sails.
Rigging: Sailworks provides an on-sail downhaul guide, but you’re missing out if you don’t experiment and try different settings. The Retro has an amazing downhaul range allowing you to tune for both wind conditions and your sailing style. We tested the 6.0 m2 with the two provided masts (460 centimetre SDM and 430 centimetre RDM) and found the RDM made for a slightly softer feel and no significant loss in performance. Some testers liked how this softness made the rotation smoother in transitions while others felt the SDM provided a little more stability.
Final word: The Retro is still the most tunable and stable no-cam sail on the market.

Windwing HammerRDM 6.9

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:17:00 -0400

The 2010 HammerRDM is the latest in Windwing's evolution of their incredibly rangy twin-cam freeride sail. What originally set this sail apart from the pack was that it was a cam sail rigging on a reduced diameter mast (RDM). For this year, it also includes the added tuning of second tack strap.

Speed / Power:
We tested the HammerRDM up against a couple other cam sails last fall in Corpus Christi, TX. It was the leader of the pack stability-wise remaining controllable in the biggest gusts. This made it the fastest sail in the test. It held its own in less powered conditions as well, but seemed to have a slightly slower acceleration out of the gate. The second tack strap allows far more tension to be applied than with just one and providing both low-end power and incredible stability. Without the tension, the sail feels softer and less direct in how it translate gusts into forward movement.

Jibing and Maneuverability:
With the tension on the two tack straps the two-cam draft is locked forward with a noticeable amount shape. On paper this usually doesn't make for a smooth rotation, but the Hammer's cams and the use of an RDM mast seem to overcome all this, making it one of the smoothest rotating sails we have used. It may not be as easy to jibe as an no-cam rig, but if you blow your jibe you can't really blame the sail. As this Windwing is built durably to last for years to come, there is slight weight penalty you'll feel when schlogging or flipping the sail in light air.

Rigging and Tuning:
The two tack straps and cams make the Hammer more technical to rig and also require a bit of familiarity before you will find peak performance. The shape of the sail is changed noticeably by the tack straps so you have to learn to compensate for their effect. As the straps tend to tighten the leach along with the rest of the sail, we learned to over-downhaul and then tune from there. Once the straps are in place corrections to the downhaul tension become more difficult... so it's nice to know you've got the downhaul set properly before hand.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

RRD WaveVogue

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Popular windsurfing board manufacturer RRD jumped into the sail making game a few years ago. Like everything from RRD, these sails look really nice on the beach. We were happy to get our hands on their wave model, the WaveVogue 5.3, and try it out "on the water" at the AWSI industry demo in Hood River, Oregon.

Marketing Info:

The WaveVogue combines a smooth feel with ultimate durability. This feel, combined with pump-ability and a “quickly neutral” handling, makes it a top performer in gnarly surf conditions. It is also an excellent choice for lighter/smaller sailors in any conditions due to its short boom length and soft, forgiving handling. The outline and twist characteristics of the Wave Vogue make it feel lighter and turn tighter in the waves, and therefore ideal to perform in those unforgettable wave sessions.

At Speed:

The Vogue's bomber construction (with PVC window) makes for an elastic sail with even a lighter feeling than we expected. The draft is low and a little forward keeping the sail light. Some finesse in trimming is needed to find power, but not any more than with other down-the-line wavesails. Experienced sailors will find that the elasticity responds quite quickly so it can still get you planing in a hurry if you know what you are doing. At speed, the Vogue is well balanced with an efficient foil that stays light (without that draggy feeling some super soft sails create). It is not a good match to double footstrap freeride boards or any board with a speed oriented set-up (i.e. boards with a longer spread between mast base and footstraps). We recommend the WaveVogue works best on waveboards, freestyleboards and modern manouverable freestyle wave shapes (like the RRD Freestyle Wave).

Jibing and Handling:

The soft feel and low draft keeps things super light in transitions. There's not much to pull you into an aggressive jibe or huck you into big freestyle moves, but through tuning you can raise the draft a little for more grunt. Smaller sailors who are light on their feet will definitely fall in love with this sail.

Rigging and tuning:

The Vogue's sensitivity to downhaul makes it a sail for riders who have a keen eye for detail. What we mean is that adding just a centimeter of additional downhaul will have a substantial effect on the sail's performance. Be sure just to fine-tune! With time riders will easily become familiar with the Vogue's subtleties.

Final Word:

The WaveVogue is a great choice for wave sailors or smaller riders who want a sail that will last forever without feeling heavy.

MauiSails Legend

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:53:00 -0400

Maui Sails Legend 5.3 and 4.7
On the water: When MauiSails named its top-of-the-line wavesail the “Legend” the company put it right out there that they were creating a sail to push the limits of the sport. On the water it’s a perfect blend of everything an advanced rider could want. It’s stable enough to be ridden overpowered, without giving up any of the elasticity that lets it depower at will. The power is easy to find, plus experienced riders can tap into its efficiency allowing them to ride a smaller size than normally expected. The build is impressive with numerous types of X-ply being put to use for durability, yet the draft position and attention to detail make it feel lighter than other sails built completely of monofilm. Add to all this a reasonable amount of tunability and you’ve got a sail that anyone from an aspiring bump-and-jump sailor to the world champion in waves will love.

Rigging: Maui Sails supplies all of its sails with helpful info on how to rig and best care for your new rig. This includes an on-sail guide for setting the mast extension properly for the recommended dimensions. This is a perfect starting point, but there is also a tuning range beyond the company’s suggestions. Larger riders and freestylers may like it rigged with a little less downhaul, while smaller people and anyone looking for supreme control in nuking winds should try adding a touch more. Regardless of which downhaul setting you like, the Legend will maintain an impressive outhaul range to adjust for power.

Final word: The Legend is a perfect blend of stability and efficiency for ripping in bump-and-jump, freestyle and wave conditions.

Sailworks Hucker

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

What do most recreational windsurfers want from a sail these days - power to get planing before their buddies! Well, in 2005 Sailworks designer Bruce Peterson hit the nail on the head in this regard introducing the Hucker into their lineup as an ultra-powerful RAF sail (which also just happened to assist team rider Dale Cook in his need to loft 30-40 foot jumps in the cranking Gorge winds). The Hucker has done extemely well in the North American market... and now finally someone - Ben Severne of Severne sails - has brought this same idea to the international marketplace in the form of the Severne Mojo. Windsport testers were able to check out both head-to-head at the AWSI industy demo in Hood River, Oregon and look to see how each address this idea of "more power from a smaller package."

Bruce Peterson talks about the place for a sail like the Hucker:

Ben Severne explains his Mojo concept:

Suggested Uses:

Building a high-draft power sail like the Hucker or Mojo can lead to two very different uses. First, and most obvious, larger freeride riders (or really any size experienced windsurfers who are up to the challenge) will benefit from the ample power to plane and/or boost big air. A second use is these sails can also work for riders looking to plane with the smallest size sail possible in less wind. Both of these sails exhib the power or sails at least a half meter bigger allowing riders to get out ripping around on a smaller lighter sail. However be warned, if you are going with this second use be sure to pay careful attention to the tuning of the sail as you will get absolutely SPANKED if the wind gusts up beyond your ability. Recreational sailors would still be better off with a Sailworks Retro or Severne Gator for easier handling and performance.

At Speed...

When flying along the water passing your buddies on the Hucker, the sail's feel is quite soft and elastic in your hands allowing you to fly through gusts as if they aren't even there. The Mojo has a crisper feel allowing you to use the gusts to your benefit and the boom angle is also quite different than most requiring a little getting used to. The draft is more forward on the Mojo giving it a lighter feel and care must be taken not to oversheet it with the back hand while blasting full speed. But once accustomed to this slight "twitchiness" it displays more maneuverability for reaction to chop or swell. The Hucker's farther back draft position gives it a feeling of being constantly connected to the wind allowing for easy regulation of power, but also a slightly heavier feel makes it a bit harder (more rider effort) to use all the power to accelerate quickly. In many ways we found the Hucker to somewhat feel like a freeride sail with a shorter boom, while the Mojo resembles a wave sail but with a higher draft.

Jumping:

Both of these sails will help you sky impressive jumps but there are some slight differences. The Hucker feels great on any board capable of keeping up to it's speed and is also slightly better suited than it's counterpart to slalom-oriented double-strapped boards due to its farther back draft. The Hucker wants you to huck like Dale Cook (below see video of Dale bailing out of a massive jump from this summer at Doug's Beach)! The Mojo likes to be placed on a more typical bump-and-jump (freestyle wave) board to go out and throw monster forwards with the highly placed draft.

Jibing:

The Mojo benefits from a slightly lighter and more maneuverable feel, but both of these sails rotate beautifully. The shortish booms on each prevent you from being able to blame either sail for flipping issues. The large foot area on both the Mojo and Hucker requires oversheeting if you are jibing at speed and their high drafts really let you drive the rail in to the water through an aggressive slalom type jibe. Beginner or "faint of heart" jibers should look elsewhere.

Rigging & Tuning:

Hucker 5.6 Specs:	Luff: 449-453 cm / Boom: 183-186 cm
Mojo 5.3 Specs:	Luff: 432 cm / Boom: 170 cm

Our only recommendation here is that with these high-drafted sails you are playing with fire (or fireworks in the case of the history of Windsport testing trips) and if you don't do things right you may get burned. With either sail insufficient downhaul tension may lead to multiple trips "over the handlebars" (rather than anything else you might be going for). The Hucker and Mojo have been carefully engineered for max power within the recommended setting. Don't be afraid to tune them to their max downhaul specification especially if the wind is up or after the sail has been used several times.

Recommendations:

The Mojo's forward draft and light feel makes it an excellent choice particularly for anyone more comfortable on wavesails looking to plane earlier and sky huge jumps. Any fast-freeride/slalom riders looking for added big-air bump-and-jump fun will love the Hucker. Five years of experience with the Huckers definitely gives Sailworks an edge in terms of its refined feel but the Mojo maneuverable feel provides a solid niche right off the bat with and we expect it will build off this in future models.

Final Words:

The Mojo is a more maneuverable power sail that will get you planing in as little wind as possible and help you sky huge jumps. Go to severnesails.com for more info.

The Hucker is a fast and powerful freeride sail exhibiting great control and massive jumping ability. Also each size of Hucker comes with it's own unique graphics (see 5.6 above and here is the 4.8). Go to sailworks.com to get your Huck-ON!

And the Challenge...

Naish Grand Prix 7.0

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

For most... windsurfing is about going fast, and this is a category Naish Sails has excelled at over the years. The Grand Prix replaces a sail that has done very well in past Windsport tests: the Redline. Now built with lighter weight and more durable materials (X-166 scrim), can this recreational 3-cam speedster keep up with its predecessor? Let’s find out.

Marketing Info:

With the Grand Prix, Naish matches the technology of their pure-race Stealth sail with an "easier handling and rigging" midwidth luff sleeve… “Maximum speed with minimal hassle.”

At Speed:

The Redline has been redesigned as the Grand Prix, and this is a sail made to suit any speed seeking freerider. It feels a little racier (more solid or stiffer) than the Redline. Placement of the draft’s height in the sail (i.e. where you feel the sail pull from) can be adjusted from high to relatively low with more downhaul. This adjustability of draft height allows the Grand Prix to work well on both wide and narrow tailed dual-rear footstrap boards (keep draft high for wide board and lower for narrow slalom shapes).
The Grand Prix feels slippery and efficient. It takes an absolutely huge gust to rattle the sail and give the rider an idea of how much wind they are really holding down.
It feels very light for a cam sail, particularly on take-off and has the power to get even the most sluggish freeride board up and moving.

Handling and Rotation:

Use of lightweight X-166 material in the sail’s top and a reduced clew gives the Grand Prix better handling than most cam-sails out there. The cams rotate well but are still noticeable on transitions. The luff sleeve is small enough making waterstarting and uphauling much easier than most sails that match it’s speed.

Rigging/Tuning:

When things don’t feel right make use of the Grand Prix’s excellent range in both outhaul and downhaul tuning. This 3-cam sail can be rigged for decent power or cranked-on for surviving substantial gusts. Naish’s new downhaul pulley is awesome with the option for a loop-and-go 4:1 setup or the traditional 6:1. The pulley is turned 90-degrees to lineup more easily with most extensions and makes 6:1 downhauling easier than ever.

Final Word:

The Grand Prix is fast. Here’s a sail that will push any freeride board to it’s limits, and do so with greater ease than a full blown race sail.

Related Links (e-mail info@windsport.com to get a link added here):

- official Naish Sails web page for the Grand Prix

Video from Naish Photoshoot by Wyatt Miller:

Severne Gator 7.5, 6.0 and 5.3

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:15:00 -0400

Severne Gator 7.5
On the water: The no-cam Gator line is one of the best you can find to help simplify windsurfing. Sizes range from 3.7 to 8.0 and the design changes from having five to six to seven battens as they get bigger to best suit the water conditions for their particular wind range. In the larger sizes, like this 7.5 m2, there are two battens that extend below the boom giving it more area in the foot, which helps the stability by locking shape into the lower-half of the sail. With minimalist head construction and drive from down low, the Gator felt light for a 7.5 m2. It was one of the few big sails we felt comfortable trying carving freestyle tricks with, and testers commented that it almost had the depower of a wavesail. Through tuning this sail can be run on wide boards, but with so much depower you’ll need to be a more efficient sailor if you’re looking for torque off a race’s starting-line. We loved the sails efficiency and drag-free feel, something testers often call “feeling slippery.”

Rigging: At 7.5 m2 the Gator is not a wavesail, but the wave-like comparisons extend to how it rigs and looks as well. There are no tricks needed to put it together, and with its flattish profile it doesn’t even need a wide race style boom to perform properly. The head and leech may not be as beefy as a wavesail, but the all grid construction provides plenty of durability to make for a long-lasting freeride sail.

Final word: The Gator 7.5 is an efficient performer that does everything well.

Gator 7.5 Gallery:

Severne Gator 6.0 and 5.3
On the water: We have grouped these two sails together here despite the 6.0 being a six-batten freemove design and the 5.3 a five-batten wavesail with a higher cut foot. On the water these changes don’t really make for much difference in a straightline. Both sizes twist off at the head in a similar manner through gusts, while a supple elasticity in the body gives a perfect balance between stability and rider feedback. The draft is slightly higher on the 6.0 m2 but it still balances well on the same single back strap boards that the 5.3 m2 prefers. With a good balance between depower and stability these smaller Gators have a slippery, drag-free feel, providing the rider with just enough feedback to improve their efficiency. In transitions the quick depower lets you feel how light the rig really is, giving you the confidence to be aggressive in any type of transition.

Rigging: We sailed both of these with the same 430 centimetre RDM, plus the 6.0 m2 was also rigged on the 460 centimetre SDM from the Gator 7.5. As is usually the case, the RDM gave it a little softer feel that felt better in transitions, while the longer SDM provided a little more stability when fully powered-up. Severne has done a great job of making this simplified sail line easy to rig as well. Changes in tension in all sizes are easy to both see on land and feel on the water.

Final word: The smaller Gators are true do-everything sails that will feel great in the hands of any level rider.

Gator 6.0 Gallery:

Gator 5.3 Gallery:

The Quiver
Feel: As you’d expect of from having all sails of the same model, there is ample familiarity to be found here. They power-up and depower in a similar manner even though the extra batten and slight alteration in each size does change the performance of the sail to better suit its intended conditions.

Rigging: There is also similarity in how the sails rig. The fact that these are about as easy to rig as you will find just makes this quiver of Gators that much more attractive.

Sail sizing: Along with a similarity of feel and rigging, this quiver covers a huge range of wind and water conditions. We had no problem making the jump between each size, plus we love that each sail is specifically designed for the conditions you will encounter when using it.

Rig parts: Whether by design or not, a number of the Gator’s have luff lengths close to the standard lengths masts come in. This makes it easier to build a quiver with a minimal expense on masts as you can usually pick from one of two length masts to rig each sail.

Goya Eclipse 6.8 and 5.7

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:26:00 -0400

Goya Eclipse 6.8 and 5.7

On the water: Goya’s all-new Eclipse is Levi Siver’s signature sail that helps him push his stylish wavesailing to new limits. We tested it in two of the larger sizes and found that there is more to this sail than just ripping up waves. It has the requisite soft feel and quick depower that any wavesail must have, but with designer Jason Diffin’s innovative Stretch Control System there is still plenty of stability to have fun on flat water as well. Of course, if you are just looking to blast back and forth all day long it may be best to go with a complete quiver of Goya’s more dedicated freeride FXR line. However, the Eclipse’s added manoeuvrability and control makes it the choice for working through freestyle tricks and boosting big air off chop.

Rigging: When you roll the Eclipse out of the bag there is no mistaking that it’s built to handle a ton of abuse. There is a slight weight penalty for its robust build so it’s important to downhaul the Eclipse, allowing the leech to become loose all the way to where the on-sail guide says you should (or even slightly beyond). This helps to lower the draft and make the sail feel lighter in the hands. At the recommended downhaul setting we found plenty of pop for freestyle and decent pull to help set the rail in the waves. However, for our flatwater testing we preferred the maximum setting for a more comfortable lower draft and increased stability.

One-liner: The Eclipse is a robust wavesail that can be thrown around in bump-and-jump conditions as well.

Naish Boxer 5.8

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The 2010 Naish Boxer could be the flashiest sail in windsurfing today. The skull and crossbones screams Robby Naish... and who wouldn't want to rock some of his signature gear! We grabbed a Boxer 5.8 at the AWSI industry demo in the Gorge this past September and here's what we found.

Marketing Info:

The Boxer has been around since 2003 and has proven its staying power. Designed with a short-luffed compact shape, many sizes of the Boxer rig on shorter masts than other similar size wavesails. Built for new-school windsurfers who are combining freestyle and wavesailing together this sail is shaped to provide all the power of the Naish Force with the easy handling of the Session. Note: we've noticed that Naish national teamrider Wyatt Miller (a larger freestyler) prefers the Boxer to the Session in sizes above 5.0-meters.

At Speed:

As with the entire 2010 Naish sail lineup the first thing you notice when riding the Boxer is it's lighter feel compared to previous models due to the use of X-166 Ultralight scrim in the critical top section. Riders already accustomed to the Boxers will be blown away, while most others will need to give this sail a session or two before adjusting to it's different feel coming from the unique geometry. The Boxer's compact shape creates a little more sail area up high and behind the rider that you can definitely feel; however, the leech is well supported and the Boxer doesn't get easily overpowered in the gusts. So once you are familiar with how to lean and balance against it you will have a great time.

Power:

There is no doubting that the Boxer has tons of power. Whether you are looking to just get planing or busting into the biggest and baddest move in your bag of tricks, this sail has what it takes. So if you are willing to go with the power it will surely help you into any looping or spinning move more robustly than any other sail.

Jibing and Maneuverability:

The Boxer rotates smoothly and cleanly through transitions, as the boom length is not that long, plus the ample power will help keep you planing through any transition. Despite the new x166 Ultralight scrim material, the Boxer is not quite as light feeling in the hands as the other Naish wavesails due to its huge head area. For freestylers there's tons of power to get you out of the water and adding a more impressive (powerful) dimension to moves, but care has to be taken for control on landings, especially when clewfirst.

Rigging and Tuning:

Smaller and lighter riders can increase downhaul to lower the draft for a more comfortable feel to match their size. However, with too much downhaul tension the leech gets a little too loose for proper control in transitions. Freestylers in particular should take care to pay attention to the leech while tuning.

Naish's new downhaul pulley is awesome with the option for a loop and go 4:1 set-up. In the traditional 6:1 set-up you may have to rethink your threading method, but you will soon find out that this system actually makes a lot more sense than the former one (the pulley now lines up perfectly with most base extensions).

Aerotech FreeSpeed 7.2 and 5.8

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:20:00 -0400

Aerotech FreeSpeed 7.2 and 5.8

On the water: The first thing we notice unrolling a 2010 FreeSpeed is a much improved look over last year’s edition. This along with some small improvements to the already awesome onwater performance and you have a fast freeride sail that impresses. It has a light weight feel that is not normally found in a seven-batten all-grid sail, which makes it more fun in transitions than a sail this big should be. Part of the light feel comes from a draft that lowers with a moderate tug on the downhaul and a cut-away clew that makes for a short boom length. A little more shape has been cut into this year’s model adding power and stability to an already efficient sail. The draft is high enough to work on wider boards, but really balances best on speedier shaped boards with slightly narrower tails.

Rigging: The no-cam FreeSpeed comes together easily to get you on the water as quickly as a 7.2 m2 can. The provided rigging specifications are a little vague, so it may take you a couple tweaks before you find your particular sweet spot. Your best guide becomes learning how to read the changes downhauling makes to the sail. As you add tension watch and take note of the looseness in the leech area and how far the first batten above the boom is pulled across your mast. Once at your preferred tension you can use the interactive rig guide at the bottom of the sail to help remember your settings.

Final word: The FreeSpeed is a fast and stable no-cam sail that gets you on the water with as little hassle as possible.

Sailworks Revolution 5.2

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:12:00 -0400

Sailworks Revolution 5.2
On the water: Sailworks continues to refine a proven performer in the Revolution. The biggest change we notice is a substantially lighter feel over previously tested models. This has been accomplished through design shaping and the use of durable yet lightweight X-ply materials in specific areas of the sail. This lighter feel helps you push your limits and be more aggressive no matter what conditions you’re riding. From flatwater freestyle to down-the-line wavesailing to back-and-forth recreational blasting, this sail performs. The moderately high draft placement will get you planning quickly and there is still all the speed performance that has gained the Revolution its following. This sail has power to get you up and going yet remains controllable, even in overpowered bump-and-jump conditions. For smaller or lighter-weight riders, we found that the draft can be lowered with maximum downhaul, but take care with the amount of outhaul applied, as the foil will already be fairly flat.

Rigging: Like in all Sailworks sails, there is a large tuning range in the Revolution. The on-sail downhaul guide’s recommended setting is the perfect starting place, especially for freestyle or wavesailing. We found ourselves going a little beyond the maximum recommendation for powered-up bump-and-jump conditions. The outhaul is sensitive to small adjustments, so take care when you rig to keep from over outhauling and killing the sail. We loved that Sailworks was able to make the sail lighter without any noticeable loss in durability.

Final word: The Revolution is a tunable all-around wavesail that feels lighter than ever before.

Hansen V-wave 6.3 and 5.6

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:31:00 -0400

Hansen V-Wave 6.3 and 5.6

On the water: Hansen’s new V-Wave is a manoeuvre-oriented sail with a higher cut foot compared to sails in their B-Wave line. All the sensations you’d expect to find in a wavesail are present. There’s the flat profile that allows it to depower easily and keeps the sail neutral in transitions. It has elasticity allowing it to expand and power up, yet still twist off at the head despite a relatively tight leech. These features also make the sail reactive to the wind providing great feedback in your hands and compared to most high-end wavesails the feedback is rarely overwhelming. The draft height is set for boards with a single rear strap. Adding downhaul transforms it into a more controllable bump-and-jump sail, while decreasing downhaul gives it more torque to throw you aggressively into a bottom turn or new school freestyle trick.

Rigging: The V-Wave’s we had for testing were first-run production sails without recommended settings, but regardless of their exact numbers both sail’s luff specifications are so close to standard mast length that they can be easily rigged on one of two length masts. Having the choice for a 6.3 m2 to be rigged on a 460 or 430 centimetres is not uncommon, but you will be hard pressed to find a 5.6 that rigs on either a 430 or 400 centimetre mast. Impressively, Hansen has done this without the sail developing any rig quirks, meaning that the normal tuning indicators of leech twist and sail depth all work the way they should regardless of the mast’s length.

Final word: The V-Waves have all the performance you’d expect for waves, freestyle and bump-and-jump conditions, plus the 5.6 m2 fits on a 400 centimetre mast to boot.

Naish Boxer SL 7.0

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:54:00 -0400

Naish Boxer SL 7.0
On the water: The Boxer SL sets itself apart from the pack in two important ways. Not only is it a camber-induced sail that rigs on an RDM, but it also uses a mast that fits most sails two metres smaller. Plus, Naish has found a way to do this without any loss in performance. Consumers can put the dollars they save into some smaller sails to further expand their quiver. Tuning the Boxer SL with less downhaul gives it an impressive amount of power for matching up well on wider boards and for helping heavy-weight riders get planing. Flattening it out with increased downhaul tension provides performance that almost gives race sails a run for their money. However, setting it up this way for maximum speed requires a more efficient board that has some get-up-and-go and a rider that can handle it. In general cams do not make transitions any easier, but Naish’s version is well designed using micro-rollers that snap through the rotation with less effort than you’d think. The new composite luff sleeve and use of X-166 scrim in the sail’s upper half makes the Boxer SL extremely light and also more durable than ever before.

Rigging: As with any cam sail rigging requires a little more effort, but if you follow Naish’s rigging instructions everything will come together smoothly. The key for getting the cams on the mast is to outhaul the sail before completely downhauling it. We loved that Naish was able to get this sail to fit a 430 centimetre RDM as it gives highwind sailors a perfect option to expand their sailing range into far lighter conditions without having to buy a new mast.

Final word: Naish has designed a top-performing 7.0 m2 sail with cams that rigs on a 430 centimetre RDM.

RRD SuperStyle 5.8 and 5.3

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:03:00 -0400

RRD Super Style 5.8 and 5.3
On the water: The Super Style is RRD’s crossover sail line. It has a little more shape than its Wave Vogue wavesail and is built with a concern for weight. We found it to be a true do-everything sail. There is just enough shape sewn-in for it to power up quickly and get even the largest riders up to speed. Also, it maintains enough depowering ability to go neutral during transitions and to give experienced riders feedback to trim for added efficiency. All this makes it a one-sail wonder that any rider can have fun on whether you’re blasting back and forth fully powered-up, throwing down freestyle moves on perfectly flat water, or even riding San Carlos’ perfect peeling waves. Finally, the price is also right, as the SuperStyle is considerably cheaper than other sails of its pedigree.
Rigging: Getting the SuperStyle rigged-up properly does take a bit of a fine touch for tuning. Small movements of rope make for noticeable changes in the look and feel of the sail. However, you’ll be able to dial this in after a couple sessions once your eyes and senses are recalibrated to its more subtle nuances. When you get it right you’ll find just enough outhaul tension to keep the sail stable in transitions and still have a leech that can dampen big gusts.
Final word: The SuperStyle is a true do-it-all sail for any level rider.

SuperStyle 5.3 Gallery:

SuperStyle 5.8 Gallery:

Severne S1 5.9

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you are looking with a windsurfing sail with maximum "bling" then search no farther than the flashy 2010 S-1 from Severne. Here's a ultra-light weight wave/freestyle sail that will get people looking at you both on land and on the water.

Marketing Info:

Severne calls the S-1 a "manoeuvre wave/freestyle" sail. It has a flatter profile and tighter skin tension allowing precision placement of the rig for any wave or freestyle move. This is the lightest wave sail in the Severne range.

At Speed:

The first thing testers noticed is that this sail is super light-weight for a 5.9-metre. The power comes on smoothly and with a little finesse experienced riders can get planing with most other wave sails on the market. The S-1 feels efficient and drag-free while accerating. Although not as stable in huge gusts as the Blade it has an unmatched light feel for wave riding and freestyle in it's own wind range. The low and forward draft suits single rear strap boards (wave or freestyle) more than any double rear-strapped freeride boards and the boom feels just long enough to keep the sail from being twitchy.

Handling:

The S-1 lightweight feel makes you feel like you can try things you would normaly only go for on sails a meter smaller. Whether you are going for you first jibe or first Flaka the S-1 will give you confidence. The rig has good balance once de-powered and is stable enough for clew-first sailing and ducking moves.

Rigging:

The boom angle is a little straighter than on most sail out there but this is easy to adjust too. Experiment with the two clew options to find what feels right for you. The S-1's leech is very sensitive to downhaul tension (it get's noticeably loose and floppy very quickly with added downhaul past recommended spec) so a skilled eye while tuning will help you get the most out of it.

Final Word:

The 2010 Severne S-1 is a super lightweight wave/freestyle sail that stays light through maneuvers and has an efficient and slippery feel at speed.

MauiSails Switch 6.4

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:50:00 -0400

Maui Sails Switch 6.4
On the water: The MauiSails Switch is a proud survivor from the now defunct PWA Super Cross format. This discipline took an equal part of all the things most windsurfers aspire to on the water: speed, jumping and jibing. These are the exact things that the Switch does best! It has the stability to help push you to impressive speeds while still being soft enough to depower and rip through transitions. At the minimum to medium recommended downhaul setting the Switch is perfect for riders looking for a no-nonsense sail that simply gets them on the water and having fun. It still feels light in the hands despite the higher draft placement that helps to power wide-tailed and double back footstrap boards onto a plane. Increasing the downhaul lowers the draft just enough to turn it into a speedy bump-and-jump sail for anyone wanting to drag race in more challenging conditions. Your eyes may be blurry from the speed but fear not, the Switch still has all the control you need to boost huge air and rip through fully powered jibes.

Rigging: The Switch at 6.4m2 is about as versatile a sail you can find. Not only will it rig up on either a 460 centimetre or 430 centimetre mast, but you can use either a SDM or RDM as well. We tested it with both a 460 SDM and a 430 RDM and were pleasantly surprised that it didn’t lose much stability when switched to the shorter RDM (and it even gained a hair more low-end punch). Going with the longer SDM mainly just gave the sail a stiffer and less elastic feel.

Final Word: The Switch is a fast and light sail that is versatile both on the water and while rigging up.

Severne Mojo

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Bruce Peterson talks about the place for a sail like the Hucker:

Ben Severne explains his Mojo concept:

Suggested Uses:

At Speed...

Jumping:

Jibing:

Rigging & Tuning:

Hucker 5.6 Specs:	Luff: 449-453 cm / Boom: 183-186 cm
Mojo 5.3 Specs:	Luff: 432 cm / Boom: 170 cm

Recommendations:

Final Words:

The Mojo is a more maneuverable power sail that will get you planing in as little wind as possible and help you sky huge jumps. Go to severnesails.com for more info.

And the Challenge...

Hansen Freerace HCL 7.1

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:28:00 -0400

Hansen FreeRace HCL 7.1

On the water: The FreeRace is a 3-cam sail that follows a growing trend of camber-induced sails that can be rigged on a RDM. As expected from the sail with the most camber inducers and battens in the test, this is the stiffest and raciest sail of the bunch. The Hansen Control Leech (HCL) helps the sail progressively twist open in overpowering gusts and we were hard pressed to even find the sails maximum upper wind range. So long as we had the guts to keep sheeted-in, the FreeRace was willing go. But there’s more to this sail than just going fast. The relatively long boom length provides plenty of get-up-and-go for wide and slow to plane boards. Using a crank-tool to put serious tension on the sail lowers the draft to what we’d call mid-height for its size, which means that even in this setting it is still best on boards with some width in the tail and two rear straps. As expected with all these cams and battens providing stiffness, stability and speed, the FreeRace is a little more cumbersome in transitions.

Rigging: The FreeRace rigs up relatively easily for a three-cam sail. Simply slide the cams onto the mast as you thread it up the sleeve and use outhaul tension to help keep them on before downhauling fully. The only tricky part is the tack strap at the sail’s bottom, but this adjustment gives you another way to control the shape and tension in the sail to increase the wind range even farther.

Final word: The FreeRace is the fastest and most stable sail in the test.

North Ice 5.3 and 4.7

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:09:00 -0400

North Ice 5.3 and 4.7

On the water: As one of North’s high-end wavesails, it’s not surprising we liked these sails more and more as conditions intensified. On flat water the sails softness dampens its power, but the nice tradeoff is once you’re into chop or waves it provides better control while accelerating. The Ice’s softness allows efficient sailors to plane early by providing feedback from the wind that they can adjust and trim to. A slippery feel makes it faster than most wavesails, plus its impressive upper wind range will keep you on the water when conditions change. With full downhaul the draft is on the lower side compared to other test sails, which our smaller testers loved. With the downhaul backed-off the draft rises a little, but you will want to match the Ice up with a more manoeuvrable board with the footstraps centred. The Ice shines in transitions or on a wave. It’s here that the depower lets you position the rig however you need without affecting the trajectory you want to send the board.

Rigging: With various on-sail guides for every conceivable adjustment, the Ice is one of the easiest high-performance sails you’ll ever rig and tune. The only reason you might not hit the water before everyone else is because there’s so much info on the sail it will take you a moment to digest it all. North is also way ahead of the curve on the minimalist front with it being possible to rig the entire Ice line, from 3.4 to 5.7 m2, on a 400 centimetre RDM and the North 42 centimetre Pinlock.XT extension. The Ice HD (heavy duty) is North’s all-gird version that’s more durable both on the water and against the suns harmful UV rays.

Final word: The Ice is an easy-to-tune wavesail with all the manoeuvrabilty you could ask for to excel in both wave and bump-and-jump conditions.

Severne Blade 5.3

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

A couple years ago we had the Severne Blade at our destination gear test in Punta San Carlos, Baja and it impressed us as a power wavesail. We were excited to try the 2010 model at the AWSI industry demo in the Gorge to see what’s changed.

Marketing Info:

According to Severne the weight of the ’10 Blade has been “radically” reduced without any loss in durability through the use of eM³ cloth in the sail’s top. Down-the-line vision has also been improved by using fewer seams in the main body.

At Speed:

The Blade has a light and efficient feel while accelerating and while going through gusts at speed. It has a more solid feel than the Severne S1 (as it should as a power wavesail) and twists off nicely showing impressive range. It is not quite as light in the hands as the S1 but it’s still lighter than most other power wavesails on the market. On some Severne sails (S1 and Mojo) we found the boom to be quite angled requiring some time to get used to, but this is not the case with the Blade as it felt very comfortable right away.

Jibing and Handling:

This year’s Blade has far better de-powering ability than past models and even comes close to that of some pure down-the-line wavesails tested... very impressive for a power wavesail. It feels well balanced on transitions and the slightly reduced clew helps keep in reasonably light. The Blade shows a great mix of power and balance for doing any freestyle moves.

Rigging and tuning:

The Blade rigs up nicely to spec and has a classic look with the leech becoming loose to about half way across the top panel. We didn’t play around much with the tuning as we found that the sail felt remarkably good and had a great range at this setting.

Highlights:

The Blade is an awesome do-everything sail for any type of sailor from the wave guy to freeriders and freestylers. It does everything you can ask to cover a wide wind range and a variety of water conditions. Plus it’s durably built.