LOFTSAILS WAVESCAPE 5.0M
2020 TEST REVIEW

THE VERDICT
Flat in profile, yet anything but in character, the Loftsails Wavescape is a dependable workhorse, delivering smooth power and light on-off handling, which can be utilised to rip up any coastal arena.

OVERVIEW
The Wavescape is the four-batten offering from Loftsails, said to provide “freedom, mobility and expression” for the rider as it “goes soft and neutral on the wave”. Using x-ply of varying weights throughout its panels, it retains a Dacron luff panel between battens two and four, intended to soften the power delivery and provide the desired on-off handling. Detailing for 2020 maintains the brand’s high reputation, with their preferred IYU250 material used to construct the four-part luff sleeve; a double Dacron panel in the head for ease of rolling and longevity; a quality moulded tack fairing with extended Velcro opening, and abrasion-resistant beading along the length of the bottom batten. The integrated batten pockets house the brand’s highly regarded standing battens in the two pockets above the boom – a durable batten with a rectangular cross-section, providing responsive low-end drive and top-end stability. And sticking with the tried and tested, the Wavescape retains the brand’s Integrated Panel System (IPS) – using triple layer radials in the head, tack and clew, which disperse the forces evenly and provide the durability assurance when venturing into surf. Available in two colourways for the new season, this 5.0 comes in at under £600.00, making it one of the more affordable sails in this test lineup.

BRAND CLAIM
“The Wavescape 2020 is totally fresh… soft, super light handling on the wave, responsive power on the way out.” Monty Spindler

PERFORMANCE
Whilst still compatible with SDM, the Wavescape was supplied with a 400 cm Team Edition RDM for testing. Rigging is straightforward, the tack roller oriented in line with the extension’s rollers for easy downhauling. Rigging to achieve the looseness specified by the trim marker in the upper panel, the battens sit very flat and neutral at rest, with only the main batten above the boom retaining rotation, and just the slightest hint of shape in the bottom batten. On the water the Wavescape has a unique nature. Light and balanced in the hands at rest, its dimensions make you feel that you have a large sail in your hands, yet it performs and manoeuvres as you’d expect of a much smaller sail. Flat and neutral initially, it responds well to pumping and takes shape as pressure builds, the movement in the Dacron luff panel complimented with plenty of excess material in the luff sleeve. Power delivery is smooth and comfortable, the Wavescape accelerating positively, whilst feeling balanced in both hands, delivering energy efficiently to the board. In gusty conditions it twists and maintains forward drive, and whilst we did experience a little leech flutter, there certainly wasn’t any control issues. Fast and controllable on the way out, the Wavescape was a real gem to use on the wave too, providing the settled dependable power to tap into before going magically neutral and weightless as it is eased out. It encourages the rider to really play the boom and make use of the power available. And as with all Loftsails we’ve used recently, when the conditions increase you can relax in the knowledge that the sail’s natural range and top end stability are there, using the lower clew eyelet to encourage a more compact stance and relying on the sail to keep the board in check.

www.loftsails.com

VITAL STATS
Size: 7.7m
Luff: 490 cm
Boom: 205/210 cm
Battens: 7
Cams: 2
Ideal Mast: Neil Pryde 460/490 cm SDM
Extension Required: 30/0 cm
Available Sizes: 4.8, 5.2, 5.7, 6.2, 6.7, 7.2, 7.7, 8.2, 8.7, 9.4.