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SEVERNE NCX 6.0 & 7.5 ::
 The NCX is the only six-batten no-cam produced by Severne. Available in
sizes from 5.0 to 9.0m it is billed as an all-round freeride sail and sits
alongside the twin-cam C2.
Design & Rigging
In design terms it is essentially freeride - the planshape is quite low in the
foot and the foil is relatively hard and stable, prioritising powered up sailing
- but it is far from specialised. There is a small amount of pre-set fullness,
placed moderately low and forward in the sail with moderate batten rotation
and relatively high and progressive twist going down the leech.
We found it an easy sail to rig and it offered a wide range of useful
settings, although it doesn't like to be set too full for the most marginal
breezes. It likes a fair bit of downhaul and a bit of positive outhaul and can
be set once and left to cope with a wide range of conditions.
On the water
It is all about comfortable planing with ease and good balance. Early
planing performance and response is average, but once up and running
thrives in all decent planing winds with a very light feel, a natural an
intuitive sheeting angle, and very good stability and top end. Its feel is
more recreational than competitive; there is a slight softness to it that acts
as a welcome shock absorber to either chop or power surges from gusts.
This makes it very smooth and even in feel, rather than sharp or direct. It
the very opposite of twitchy! It offers reasonable feel and handling in
marginal winds but is lighter and easier when up to speed and much more of
a smooth gyber and easy sheeting sail than a freestyle tool.
Popularity
Both sizes proved popular with the testers, and their instant user-friendliness particularly
endeared them to the guest testers.
Big vs. Small
The 6.0 and 7.5m were very similar in style and performance.
Overall
The undemanding, freeride biased performance proved a hit with everybody. The
NCX range seems fundamentally designed for sailing straight lines with maximum comfort in the widest possible wind range. They achieve this admirably with the bonus of very smooth, easy gybing
- yet they're versatile enough to give reasonable light wind and limited freestyle application too. Recommended.
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