Windsurf Magazine - 13/10/2009 
TARGET - Intermediate to Expert/Pro
A typically well designed and built sail from Severne with user-friendly power and a very throw about nature for superb application in wave, freestyle and high wind freeride for a wide range of users.
AT A GLANCE
• 5 battens
• 2 mini leech battens
• Plenty of x-ply with some reinforced Kevlar x-ply
• 2 main monofilm panels
• Measurements on the luff cut out for accurate boom
height positioning
• Double clew eyelet with good reinforcement
• Alternating battens on either side of the sail
• Strong double stitched seams
• Reinforcement inside the luff tube
RIGGING AND SET
The S-1 rigs easily, with accurate and clear rigging instructions. The sail sets with a little pre-shape (although less than the Blade) as the leech is very loose in the top 2 panels and then has a small amount of tightness in the mid-leech, which can be loosened off when the maximum downhaul setting is applied.
PERFORMANCE
The S-1 offers plenty of early drive to the rider, helping to accelerate a board onto the plane, which is especially useful in onshore conditions. The rig feels good in the hands when up to speed; balanced and light with the drive coming from central to the rider and chest to shoulder high. This brings the sailor into a good manoeuvre oriented position. As the sailor goes over confused water states or through gusts of wind, the sail remains stable, the foil remaining solid, balanced and efficient: offering good useable drive down into the board. When the sail gets overpowered, however, the tight mid-leech starts to get a bit noisy, and the sail becomes quite ‘pully’ and back handed. Re-tune the sail by applying more downhaul and outhaul, though, and the mid leech opens up more (the leech going loose further down the sail) and the drive in the sail is stabilized: feeling balanced and smooth in power delivery again. While not having the biggest natural range in this group, this does demonstrate the S1’s excellent tuneable range. In transition, the sail performs very well; the S1 de-powers easily allowing the sailor to effortlessly re-position the rig, whether in a turn, on a wave or during freestyle, and as the sailor sheets in again the power comes on smoothly and reliably.
VERDICT
(+) A very well designed sail which offers good useable power and exceptionally light handling for a large range of users for wave, freestyle and high wind freeride.
(-) Natural range is not that good at the top end, but tuneable range more than makes up for this.
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www.windsurf.co.uk |
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