SEVERNE S-1 5.0 2023 TEST REVIEW
The verdict
Severne’s S-1 is the sail that sails itself. With minimal rider input, the S-1 excels exceptionally; add a little more input though and you are rewarded with extra snap, drive and speed.
The lowdown
For the 2023 season, Severne lays their biggest claim to the “gradient panel technology” which is said to logically reduce weight, whilst seeing significant improvements in reactivity and lightness. On test here, we have the S-1 5.0, which uses several panels radiating out of the head and tack. This new feature sets out to align the sail material with the different load directions in other parts of the sail. Diving deeper into this, you will see an overlapping at the corner of some panels, which is said to reduce time-induced stretch. Due to this, fewer reinforcements are required, enabling the designers to reduce the sail’s overall weight whilst improving its strength. The most significant improvement offered by Severne’s new technology is its feel, producing a lighter and faster reacting feel in the hands.
The S-1 is the brand’s manoeuvre orientated wave sail. In keeping with this theme, Severne has shortened the boom length on bigger sizes (4.8 and up) to reduce the back hand pressure that builds as the wind increases, whilst shifting the power up the sail to create a more accessible platform for early planing. The S-1 is also produced in a pro model, which uses carbon fusion technology and is constructed with a carbon fibre laminate to improve the sail’s strength to weight ratio, reactivity and wind range.
The S-1 is produced in ten sizes ranging from 3.0 to 5.6 and in two different colours, red and anthracite. On test, we have the anthracite colourway and its clean graphics and black and white colours look dark and aggressive, inviting the rider to push the limits on the water!
Brand claim
“The new S-1 is built on the exact same pattern as the S-1 Pro but uses VX2 and eM3 laminate materials to reduce cost, with only 150g added weight…. but the more significant improvement is the feel – quicker reacting and lighter feel.”
Performance
At rest, the S-1 rigs well with some strong skin tension across the sail and not a wrinkle in sight, and with it being one of the lightest sails on test, it is no surprise that Severne claims to have made some significant steps forward in terms of the sail’s reactivity. This quality becomes evident as soon as the sail touches the wind. Unlike many sails, the S-1 requires little change in its sheeting angle. Step on the board, sheet in and bear away, keeping the rig sheeted in whilst using the feet to move the board onto the plane. The S-1 seeming to do a lot of the work for the rider as they look to get the board going. Light in the hands but capable of making use of every bit of wind, the sail feels alive as it picks up speed.
The light weight of the sail is a vital asset in manoeuvres, whether you are looking to rotate in the air or simply cruise around a smooth gybe. The sail’s agility allows the rider to position the S-1 at will, making it easy to add a bit of punch or aggressiveness to any given manoeuvre. The same can be said whilst on the wave. Like some of the other sails on test, the S-1 allows the rider to settle into a board-focused style of wave riding, whilst it also comes with options. Given the sail’s impressive reactivity, the rider can switch focus back to the sail and ask for more when looking to push that extra bit out of a turn. This sail really caters for a variety of riding styles.
SPECS
Price: £789
Size: 5.0
Luff: 416 cm
Boom: 160 cm
Battens: 4
Ideal Mast: SEVERNE 400 Wave
Available Sizes: 3.0, 3.3, 3.6, 4.0, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, 5.0, 5.2, 5.6.
THE LINEUP