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Forums > Windsurfing General

Severne quality control?

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Created by CariS > 9 months ago, 3 Oct 2012
CariS
WA, 5 posts
3 Oct 2012 8:38AM
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There seam's to be a lot of stories on here about poor quality of Severne equipment, here is video of another broken mast.


boardboy
QLD, 554 posts
3 Oct 2012 10:58AM
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I dont think Bjorn uses the same masts we buy of the shelf - so doesnt say much.

Al Planet
TAS, 1548 posts
3 Oct 2012 11:00AM
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Great video of the crash but given that you are talking about the current leader of the PWA I dont see how he could have had to many issues with gear faliure this year.

jermaldan
VIC, 1572 posts
3 Oct 2012 11:03AM
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2 years no questions asked replacement guarantee on masts. That's Gotta count for something.

stehsegler
WA, 3557 posts
3 Oct 2012 9:09AM
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jermaldan said...
2 years no questions asked replacement guarantee on masts. That's Gotta count for something.


That doesn't help you when you are in the lead a comp now does it?

aus301
QLD, 2039 posts
3 Oct 2012 11:11AM
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that's funny...

sorta like saying, wow the Mercedes powered F1 car had an engine failure on the weekend... what does that mean for the reliability of my Vito.

I have heard of no more failure with Severne than any other brand, and it stands to reason that as a brand becomes more popular they sell more so instance of individual failure grows, but the overall percentage vs sales is probably the same. We love bad news stories so people hear about those individual instances.

I will say that each instance of failure I have heard of has been backed up by exceptional service via the brand.

cammd
QLD, 4331 posts
3 Oct 2012 12:07PM
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My 490 enigma broke recently Severne replaced the top with no problems however the hole in the luff pocket was my problem to sort. Sailmaker (Manders in Bris) did a top job but its a repaired sail now so it value must have halved if I wanted to sell it.

Was using my Naish 490 while waiting for the replacement and it seems to work pretty well, now I'm a bit scared to try the Severne again in case the bottom breaks and puts another hole in the sail.

Happy with the service regarding the replacement mast top but unhappy with my new sail now having a patch on it. I'm not sure whether or not is reasonable to expect the manufacturer to rectify not only the faulty item but also rectify the damage it caused as well. Any thoughts?


SeverneSails
WA, 69 posts
Site Sponsor
3 Oct 2012 11:02AM
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CariS said...

There seam's to be a lot of stories on here about poor quality of Severne equipment,


It is public knowledge that we had a batch issue on Severne enigma masts - the high end 100% race mast used for Reflex / Overdrive Race sail program.
We have swapped out masts with new layups from the factory and statistically these are holding up well.

Bjorns mast may have snapped from any number of causes - travelling guys probably put most of the wear on their masts in transit - airports are very harsh on masts - or it could have been a factory issue - the fact is that right now there is no way to tell for sure.

I am not sure what someone with 3 posts is trying to do by tarring the whole range with a mast batch issue - but it looks suss.

In my right to reply i will say that in terms of materials, r and D and performance Severne are offerring a solid value proposition - which is ROCK SOLID across wave and freeride and also the fastest racing sails ever developed in Australia

- with the exception of a batch isue with 100% race masts (which is a reatively small proportion of the entire market - an important portion but relatively small - around 15%)

The Dunky failure is a very public disaster and we will try and recover as best we can - however its not the first mast to break on the PWA - but possibly the most public snappage i have seen. I am sure our competitors are watching with glee!

There have been quite a few PWA racers migrating to the Severne Reflexes as their speed is now legendary - and most of them are racing well without mast breakage

I wont go over ad nauseum my replies and the Australia national brand response to the issue as everyone here is quite familiar with them by now. And have probably consumed tons of popcorn watching me choose to reply on such a public forum

The rest of the range has been rock solid and i know we have lots of loyal and stoked customers on the wave and freeride front. I am sure Severne will continue to find ways of making these guys even more stoked.

We will do our best to recover from this publicity nightmare on the race front.

barrycrocker
WA, 5 posts
3 Oct 2012 11:12AM
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I wonder who is liable if equipment failure results in a serious debilitating injury to ones self or to others. The stack looked pretty nasty.

stehsegler
WA, 3557 posts
3 Oct 2012 11:37AM
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SeverneSails said...
The Dunky failure is a very public disaster and we will try and recover as best we can - however its not the first mast to break on the PWA - but possibly the most public snappage i have seen. I am sure our competitors are watching with glee!


I think you are being a bit harsh on yourself. Let's look at the facts:

- Dunkerbeck probably weights in somewhere around 100kg.
- He most likely sails with a weight vest most of the time
- He most likely sails way overpowered most of the time
- It's the end of the season. I doubt even your top sponsored rider is using brand new masts for every sail at every event.
- He would go through quite a bit of gear over time and hence statistically would have a higher chance to get a dud mast.

No production process is 100% perfect. If it were it would have to be 100% managed by machines and not humans.

I think people are making a bit much about this. If anything I thought it was quite amusing to watch.

firiebob
WA, 3177 posts
3 Oct 2012 11:46AM
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SeverneSails said...

I am not sure what someone with 3 posts is trying to do by tarring the whole range with a mast batch issue - but it looks suss.



+1

Sailhack
VIC, 5000 posts
3 Oct 2012 1:59PM
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barrycrocker said...
I wonder who is liable if equipment failure results in a serious debilitating injury to ones self or to others. The stack looked pretty nasty.


The stack was ok, but if the guy behind was closer it could've been a nasty cut from the fin!

Re; mast breakage - I've broken a few different brand masts...I've never owned a Severne mast but my point is that all masts break. Severne have already defended their position on this subject in another thread and it sounds like they're onto it.

I'd also be interested in the motive of this poster.

MikeyS
VIC, 1509 posts
3 Oct 2012 2:52PM
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Sailhack said...

I'd also be interested in the motive of this poster.


I'm more interested in the spelling of the poster. "Seam's". Literacy and credibility are sometimes related.

Zed
WA, 1274 posts
3 Oct 2012 12:56PM
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I wouldn't be particularly concerned especially considering there is a 2 years no questions asked replacement guarantee on masts. It sounds like they had some teething issues with a product, this happens to every company (Apple cough cough) and the issues have been resolved. Most importantly the consumer is protected.

patsken
WA, 713 posts
3 Oct 2012 1:44PM
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I'm just envious that he probably doesn't have to swim in when he breaks gear and I DO!!!

barn
WA, 2960 posts
3 Oct 2012 2:17PM
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firiebob said...
SeverneSails said...

I am not sure what someone with 3 posts is trying to do by tarring the whole range with a mast batch issue - but it looks suss.



+1




Don't scare her off, she might be single.

CariS
WA, 5 posts
3 Oct 2012 6:44PM
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I'm sorry if some people aren't happy with this video but the internet is a great tool for the modern consumer, you can search for any issue's with nearly all products, it may be a TV, phone or windsurf mast. I'm not a good swimmer so my search for new equipment brought up these problems with this product. I thank Severne Sails for replying but your reply instead of being comforting to me was more about questioning my integrity so I thank you for making it easy on my choice for new gear. I wish you luck with your product problems but I will be looking for a more reliable windsurf equipment.

ginger pom
VIC, 1746 posts
3 Oct 2012 8:57PM
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CariS said...

There seam's to be a lot of stories on here about poor quality of Severne equipment, here is video of another broken mast.



Fourth post is slagging off a brand... you have to wait a little while normally.



Mark _australia
WA, 23526 posts
3 Oct 2012 7:02PM
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CariS said...
I'm sorry if some people aren't happy with this video but the internet is a great tool for the modern consumer, you can search for any issue's with nearly all products, it may be a TV, phone or windsurf mast. I'm not a good swimmer so my search for new equipment brought up these problems with this product. I thank Severne Sails for replying but your reply instead of being comforting to me was more about questioning my integrity so I thank you for making it easy on my choice for new gear. I wish you luck with your product problems but I will be looking for a more reliable windsurf equipment.


Sounds like you are a beginner then? I challenge you to break a Severne mast.
Or any mast.

No insult but the video of a pro snapping a well used and probably often-dropped mast (also a 100% race mast), not the 50% u will use) - and used at the extremes of it's wind range - has no relationship to what gear you should buy.

Plus no, the internet is not that great for research as if you type in "Severne durability" or somethign you get all the whinges.
One or two people with a beef post up negative stuff but the other 1000 satisfied customers don't post reviews on their gear not failing after 5yrs do they?

Rob11
240 posts
3 Oct 2012 7:19PM
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Looks like a failure around boom clamp. Would this be due to the new 'revolutionary' Severne boom head ?

Btw the quality of this video is quite amaizing, hope we get more of the event like this.

Simon100
QLD, 490 posts
3 Oct 2012 10:30PM
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Rob11 said...
Looks like a failure around boom clamp. Would this be due to the new 'revolutionary' Severne boom head ?

Btw the quality of this video is quite amaizing, hope we get more of the event like this.


i wonder about that too , i actually broke a naish mast the other day in my severne boom , now it was in a very gentle catapult but it broke smack bang in the middle of the boom which i thought was odd as the boom clamp should be supporting it there but the current severne boom clamp just wobbles every where and gives no support i thought they normally break above the clamp, i gave up and put a north one on it.sails much nicer now too


I have seen a ridiculous number of the severne masts break , wouldn't you stop selling the faulty batch rather than replacing faulty ones with more faulty ones . so is it just the masts or a combination of the masts and booms ?

cammd
QLD, 4331 posts
3 Oct 2012 10:37PM
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Dont think the batch issue Severne have experienced with their Enigma masts has anything to do with being a beginner. Mine snapped of its own accord not because I was sailing it as hard as Bjorn.

I also dont think defending your integrity is a right that can only excercised after a pre determined number of posts on this forum.

I do believe the issue with the enigma mast is a one off batch problem. I think Severne have addressed the problem in the best possible way for their customers and I will be happy to buy the brand again.

My mast broke above the top cam so cant be anything to do with the enigma boom i have which by the way I love.

petermac33
WA, 6415 posts
3 Oct 2012 8:56PM
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My Severne Blueline 400cm mast has clocked many miles and no problem.
My 5.6m code red has done close to 10,000km's and not one repair.

Rigging smaller than necessary sail size and compensating with less downhaul/outhaul is my way of increasing life of equipment,particularly mast life.

As you increase the downhaul pressure,so you must increase the stress on the mast.

racerX
463 posts
3 Oct 2012 8:57PM
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Same thing happened while racing this last Sunday, to a friend on north gear. 100% carbon mast on first outing and race sail. Not quite as spectacular, but had to wait a while for the safety boat to arrive!

Heard plenty of mast snaps on the beach at slalom and formula events. High end race gear, is not as durable, as the next step down free race gear, or for that matter high end wave/freestyle stuff.

Not sure you can have it all. These posts are a bit confusing, as they might give an impression there was a problem with all Severne masts, when it looks like there might have been a problem with some of the high end race masts, which by definition are pushing the boundaries of what is possible as far as strength and performance are concerned.

Troppo
WA, 887 posts
3 Oct 2012 9:28PM
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While on the subject of broken masts..

After breaking my fair share I've found that if you can
as quickly as possible try to release the tension from the outhaul/downhaul. It will go a long way into preventing the sleeve material from tearing. If its lucky enough to still be in one piece..Which is not always the case but a good thing to keep in mind should one ever let go on you.

NotWal
QLD, 7435 posts
3 Oct 2012 11:42PM
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RDM race masts offer an alternative. They are MUCH tougher down the bottom because they have a smaller diameter and a thicker wall. They can take compression or a knock or camber wear in their stride. Up the top they are just as light as the SDMs so just as reactive where it counts.

Troppo
WA, 887 posts
3 Oct 2012 9:48PM
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NotWal said...
RDM race masts offer an alternative. They are MUCH tougher down the bottom because they have a smaller diameter and a thicker wall. They can take compression or a knock or camber wear in their stride. Up the top they are just as light as the SDMs so just as reactive where it counts.


Not always the case, Some have thinner walls then others. Take a look next time at the beach. Also pay attention to the consistencey of the thickness. I've seen some that look pretty bad.

Magnus8
QLD, 366 posts
4 Oct 2012 12:26AM
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CariS said...

There seam's to be a lot of stories on here about poor quality of Severne equipment, here is video of another broken mast.



You sound like a troll to me, you know nothing about windsurfing equipment and you can't spell.

stehsegler
WA, 3557 posts
4 Oct 2012 9:31AM
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petermac33 said...
My Severne Blueline 400cm mast has clocked many miles and no problem.
My 5.6m code red has done close to 10,000km's and not one repair.


Where did you sail to? Maui?

Zed
WA, 1274 posts
4 Oct 2012 9:56AM
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CariS said...
I'm sorry if some people aren't happy with this video but the internet is a great tool for the modern consumer, you can search for any issue's with nearly all products, it may be a TV, phone or windsurf mast. I'm not a good swimmer so my search for new equipment brought up these problems with this product. I thank Severne Sails for replying but your reply instead of being comforting to me was more about questioning my integrity so I thank you for making it easy on my choice for new gear. I wish you luck with your product problems but I will be looking for a more reliable windsurf equipment.


I'm not sure if you are new to the internet, but generally speaking there is an unwritten rule with most forums, that being a 'newbie' doesn't start posting controversial or denigratory threads and posts soon after joining. It's ill mannered and usually entails in the poster getting labeled a troll. Seabreeze (well the w/surf section) is a nice, chilled out forum and doesn't generally indulge trolls. Your behaviour is 'troll-like'. You are lacking in credibility and this explains Severne Sails response.

If you think a products reliability is questionable. that's fine, people will quite happily discuss that with you, but posting up something like:

"Severne masts are sh!t and break all the time. Discuss"

That will only earn you ridicule. Next time you want to post something that you think may be controversial, put a little bit more time and effort into your posts and you will be rewarded with courteous replies.

stehsegler
WA, 3557 posts
4 Oct 2012 10:59AM
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Zed said...
If you think a products reliability is questionable. that's fine, people will quite happily discuss that with you, but posting up something like:

"Severne masts are sh!t and break all the time. Discuss"

That will only earn you ridicule.


That's right. Instead you should have said "Dunkerbeck breaks Severne mast while sailing in a straight line. Is the quality of Severne masts questionable?"

You would have received two types of responses:

a) all Severne sponsored riders (and there quite a few on this forum) would have vehemently try to argue how great the masts are.

b) all riders sponsored by other brands (and there also quite a few on this forum) would have strongly argued that brand X is better than Severne

The rest would have had a chuckled and moved on... the lesson is. If you stir the pot make sure you stir it the right way.



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"Severne quality control?" started by CariS