SEVERNE BLADE 4.7 2013 TEST REVIEW
SEVERNE BLADE 4.7 2013 TEST REVIEW
BACKGROUND
The Blade is Severne’s ‘control-oriented’ all-round wave sail intended to deliver the ‘perfect balance between power and control’. For 2013 it has been tuned-up making it even lighter and stronger.
AT-A-GLANCE
A solid looking five batten, medium aspect shape made of full X-ply construction, using lightweight EM3 laminates in the head to keep the weight down as well as a titanium clew ring and Severne’s new ‘Spiderfibre’ strips to spread load around the sail. The impressive standard of materials and build quality results in a high-class product.
RIGGING
Using a 400 Severne Redline RDM we found a wide tuning range that can be tweaked through both down and outhaul to suit the conditions. It sets best with a decent amount of downhaul – so that the leech is floppy down to batten No 3.
PERFORMANCE
The Blade is very lightweight and impeccably balanced. It’s got plenty of power that’s delivered extremely smoothly, so it never feels overly-grunty. The pull is forward and slightly higher, keeping it very light on the backhand. This is a super-reliable sail that you can completely forget about when using, it simply delivers whatever and whenever you ask of it and effortlessly meets its claimed combination of power and control.
The wind range is wide, with an efficient foil in lighter winds, retaining perfect behaviour when the wind picks up, particularly with a bit of extra tuning – great for covering a huge range of conditions. On the wave it delivers great drive for powering through turns and is neutral and forgiving when you want to throw-down some moves.
THE VERDICT
The Blade is an awesome all-round wave sail and it performed extremely well in all of the conditions that we experienced on test. All of our testers loved it and it would suit all levels and styles of rider. With the S-1 now dropping a batten this is the go-to five batten wave sail in the Severne range.
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