Hi there,

Just asking for some advice.

Torn between getting a Severne S1 quiver or blade as I can get a good price on both.

Im 6ft4 and 88kg and sail in either Cross-off or cross onshore conditions so either flatish bump and jump or cross on with wind driven swells / slop. Im predominantly more of a freerider / jumper at the moment due to my skill level but would like to get into proper wave riding and try some freestyle.

I hear the S1 is more manouverable, lighter and good for freestyle whilst the blade is faster, with a better wind range (both bottom and top end?) and I like the idea of the x-ply window as my sails do take a bit of a beating.

Im looking to buy just a 400cm rdm gorilla mast on which I could fit a 4.2 4.7 and 5.3 blade or a 4.8 and 5.6 S1 which I would use with my 100L RRD FSW.

Opinions?

Thanks in advance

I am no expert but I run an S1 5.7 for my biggest sail (on a 400cm mast - nice a light and great light wind wave sail) I then have 4.0 (rarely used) 4.5. 5.0 blades for the smaller sizes. Seems to work well and only need 1 mast.
I've heard the 2016 S1's have an even better range and lighter again (from a very reliable source) but didn't get the opportunity to try one.

A combination may be better - but others may have a different opinion

a tough decision

i just swapped my 2013 Blade quiver for a 4.8 S1 pro and a 5.3 Blade pro.

your assumptions are correct.

the blade has more range and more control. the S1 is easy to sail clue first eg heli tacking is easier.

im similar to you in that i am new to wave sailing.

i am seriously thinking of swapping the s1 pro 4.8 for a blade pro 4.7.

The current Blade is better for Freestyle than any of the 4 batten S-1 sails from the last few years.. Back in 2012 the S-1 was great, but the direction of the S-1 has changed.

There is a dedicated freestyle sail in the Freek, it's even based on the old 5 batten S-1.

For all round performance, stick with the Blade. It's a predictable sail, that's better for freestyle.

You can get a 5.5 Blade on the 400, this is the largest Blade that runs the 400 as the alternative mast, so could go for a 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5 quiver, all of which will fit on the 400 Gorilla.

The other option would be superseded 5.2 and 5.6 Freeks, could probably find some in Aus.

given the amazing range of the blade, i always ran a 4.7 and a 5.5 combo. i only bought the 5.3 pro because it didn't come in a 5.5.

BTW my 5.3 blade pro with a 100 % carbon masts gets planning in the same wind as my 6.0 gator on a gorilla mast. go figure

Thanks for the helpful replies guys :) .

By the sounds of it the S1 is not really what i'm looking for then as i'd like something a bit more versatile.

Tempted by the 4.7 and 5.5 blade setup but the freeks also seem tempting as I could get a 4.8 and a 5.6 setup with them.

Does anyone have any insight on how these sails compare? Is the freek too focused on freestyle to be useful for me doing some freeriding and (small) wave sailing?

I bought a quiver of recent Blades to replace a quiver of 2012 S-1 (5 battens) which are very similar to the recent freeks. I have kept the old S-1's except the smallest ones.

My 2 cents is you will appreciate the all round versatility of the Blades, and the superior wind range, better for jumping etc. I still use largest S-1's (5 batten) on my freestyle board in lighter winds, but for winder conditions I prefer the Blades.

I too will say go the Blades.
At your weight a 4 batten sail will not work as well as the stability of a 5 batten Blade.
The Blades have an X ply window vs monofilm window of the S1 and Freeks.
I've used the Freeks in waves and the are fine but the Blades are more robust.

The blades pull from the front and also downward which also keeps the board on the water in strong wind and gusts.
The S1 and Freeks pull from a higher position on the sail.
The Blades have a more constant pull on the waves but are a bit harder to depower.
While the S1 and Freeks are very easy to depower but are more on/ off.

I'd say go Blade 5.5, 5.0 and 4.5.
They are all nice sails but the 5.0 is outrageously good.
I love my to death as does everyone who owns one.
As said they all will go on a 400 mast.

+1 for Blades

You only need 4.7 and 5.5 blades if u need save money and easy rigging decisions

Sorry for another late post. Finally have the money to follow through on this;

Freek and S1 definitely not what im looking for then.

However I just noticed the gator with its full x-ply window and billing as a high wind bump and jump / wave sail in the 4.7m / 5.5m sizes I would get.

Would it have any advantage for freestyle over the blade? or any extra drive in the 5.5m size?

Or should I just fork out the little extra to get the higher end product in the blade?

^^^

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Yuppy said...


BTW my 5.3 blade pro with a 100 % carbon masts gets planning in the same wind as my 6.0 gator on a gorilla mast. go figure

Check that the gator doesn't have tube battens if your intending to use it for wave sailing. I had an old (ancient) gator 5.5 it had tube battens and they are not suitable for wave sailing. The 4.7 should have rod battens, I would just get the blades anyway.

I've gone nuts.

I traded my 4.8 s1 pro for a 4.7 blade pro. Bigger range. More control. Bloody light.

While I was at it I snapped up a 4.2 blade pro.

I see no point in owning my 6.0 gator.

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Yuppy said..
I've gone nuts.

I traded my 4.8 s1 pro for a 4.7 blade pro. Bigger range. More control. Bloody light.

While I was at it I snapped up a 4.2 blade pro.

I see no point in owning my 6.0 gator.

Severne gear is so much lighter than anything else out there, I wonder how everyone else is still in business. Could there be a catch? (Not a Severne user, but tempted).