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SEVERNE Blade 5.3m ::
Tested by Windsurf Magazine,UK 11/12.05
At a Glance
The Blade is Severne's power wave sail designed around the explosive sailing style of 2004 World Wave Champion Scott McKercker. With a similar distinctive appearance to last year's design, it looks stunning on the water, with excellent attention to detail and a lot of built in durability, using various Kevlar reinforcements in its panels as well as the brand's new MetaleX-ll, which boasts increased strength and decreased weight.
Rigging and Set
Easy to downhaul thanks to the tack pulley's orientation, the Blade requires moderate downhaul tension, the leech failing away in the top two panels, whilst the depth of the pre-shape is adjusted on the outhaul, retaining solid rotation in the main two battens.
Ride and Handling
On the water the Blade gave an awesome performance level that found favour amongst all who sailed it, even those that tended to shy away from sail's with pre-shape. Light and precise at idle, it responds instantly in gusts, accelerating in the hands and delivering its energy directly to the board. Super stable and balanced, the Blade has a staggering natural range, its centre of power locked low down in the draft, never getting backhanded or pulling the rider's stance out of shape. Instead, it pins the board down and encourages the pilot into a low powerful stance, forcing every last bit of energy through the board. With all this drive and involvement, you would be forgiven for thinking the Blade was an exhausting sail to use ... but by efficiently absorbing the lumps and bumps of confused conditions, it is incredibly comfortable to use for long periods. In transition the Blade's drive can be felt throughout the turn, and whilst not going neutral in the hands, remains light and balanced so as to be re-positioned easily. Rewarding decisive riding styles with all the energy and response to do battle in any wave environment, the Blade nevertheless has the ease and unfaltering stability to make an excellent bump-and-jump sail for stress-free coastal sailing.
For: Useable power and rock-steady balance.
Wide user appeal.
Against: A pre-shape sail that for its style is hard to fault.
Verdict:
Providing constant, precise and stable power across an impressive wind range, the Blade is a devastating weapon for the most assertive sailing styles, but also comes recommended for those in search of a user-friendly bump-and-jump sail.
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