Blade 5.3

Light, easy to handle and efficient.


Design

The Severne Blade turns out to be the lightest sail on the scales. It is nevertheless built entirely out of reinforced and quality materials – but often thiner than its competitors. For a sail in this category, the shape is pretty slender with, amongst other features, a relatively short boom. This year it has a new triple pulley with synthetic rollers.


On the water

Logically, the Severne quickly stands out from its contestants by how light it feels in the hands when sailing. The balance of the profile helps this lightweight feeling – with a more balanced back hand power than most of its compettitors, and the powered centered at the front of the sail, the sail has a less constant pull in your arms. It has enough power to garantee a very interesting handling / efficiency compromise though, as long as the outhaul is precisely trimmed, in order to avoid having a sail that is too flat, or,on the contrary, too deep and not very pleasant.

The Blade therefore doesn't have the power of some of the other full onshore sails to launch and go upwind, but it still has a very satisfying early planing performance. Once it gets going, the speed it reaches is very competitive.
Furthermore, the Blade stands out for its ease of handling and neutrality on the wave. Its light weight reduces the leverage during sail movements. It can be placed freely wherever needed, as quickly as needed. Its forward pull also helps using more of the rail during bottom turns for better control. It then lets itself be easily forgotten during top turns.


Verdict
The Severne Blade shows very good versatility and always is very appreciated for its light weight. It combines efficiency and easy handling, with an improved power and stability this year, without the back hand power of some of the other powerful sails.

+ Light weight, control, efficiency / easy handling compromise, versatility
- Less back hand power for the heavy ones.