I am thinking of purchasing a second-hand Severne S-1
Today the wind was 20knts and my largest wave sail is a 4.7. Being the start of the season, I just wanted to be out there so I ended up going out on a 6.0 Ezzy Hydra and a 105L board which I got working but I did not want to play in the waves with a sail that has such a long foot batten.
I was thinking if I got a 5.6 S-1 it might work out nicely. A few things that I am mulling on are
* is the jump in sail size too big (currently I have 3.7, 4.2, 4.7) ?
* I have Ezzy masts are they going to be okay? I went to the Unifiber website and it does look okay though (www.unifiber.net/masts-selector)
* Is the S-1 a good sail, is it durable as I can be a bit of a clutz? I currently have 4.2 and 4.7 gators and they take a beating and still are in great condition.

I found a sail which I think is reasonably priced and in great condition but it looks like someone has smashed into the foot section with their harness hook.



Any comments on what you think of the S-, any input on the above would be great and what do you think about the sail with a little bit of creasing on the foot, do you think it will be okay?
Thank you very much.

I thought severne sails hated other masts?

If you use ezzy masts, just wait for a decent ezzy to come one the market, they pop up here and on other more generic second hand sites. I've got a smaller S1 and it was a great sail until I put my first though it in a failed manoeuvre

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musorianin said..
If you use ezzy masts, just wait for a decent ezzy to come one the market, they pop up here and on other more generic second hand sites. I've got a smaller S1 and it was a great sail until I put my first though it in a failed manoeuvre

Then I think there would be a good chance that I would go through the sail.

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Roy1000 said..
I thought severne sails hated other masts?

So did I. But it would be the same unifiber mast. Does that mean that the unifiber mast is a compromise between the two.

On the mast thing:
It IS important to get a mast that works with your sails but the transition from SDM to RDM masts has meant a greater compatibility in wave masts of 430 length and below.
Most RDM masts are actually constant curve nowadays, and the reduced diameter tubing makes it difficult from them to be otherwise.

So you may find that your RDM Ezzy mast works just fine in a Severne sail of this age. Sometimes, when the bend curve isn't perfect, you simply use a slightly different downhaul and outhaul setting than what is printed on the sail.
In this case, a 5.6m might be your biggest wave sail, and it's probably early planing power you are looking for, rather than top end.

I would worry that the jump from a 5.6 to a 4.7m is a bit big. But that depends what your typical wind speeds are at your local spot. Where I sail, a 5m wave sail is a very useful size.

But when buying any new sail, it shouldn't just be about the price asked, but more about a longer term plan for you to get a quiver of stepped sail sizes and with compatible masts.
On the plus side, if you buy second hand and then need to change masts, that too can usually be exchanged on the second hand market with little extra cost.

Try and have a long term view as to what sail sizes - and which brand - you would like to own.

Nothing wrong with the S-1, but in general I think that it is better to stay with the same sail type in order to have more similar feeling between the sizes. So a Gator 5.3 would fit well with your 4.7 and 4.2 gators.

Going to the S1 as your larges wave-sail would be a little "odd", the other way around could be a nice combo though. I.e. gators in the larger size, for mostly bump and jump, and S-1 in the smaller sizes for wave sailing.

A Severne Blade might also be a little better as the "largest" sail compared to the S1.

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Basher said..
On the mast thing:
It IS important to get a mast that works with your sails but the transition from SDM to RDM masts has meant a greater compatibility in wave masts of 430 length and below.
Most RDM masts are actually constant curve nowadays, and the reduced diameter tubing makes it difficult from them to be otherwise.

So you may find that your RDM Ezzy mast works just fine in a Severne sail of this age. Sometimes, when the bend curve isn't perfect, you simply use a slightly different downhaul and outhaul setting than what is printed on the sail.
In this case, a 5.6m might be your biggest wave sail, and it's probably early planing power you are looking for, rather than top end.

I would worry that the jump from a 5.6 to a 4.7m is a bit big. But that depends what your typical wind speeds are at your local spot. Where I sail, a 5m wave sail is a very useful size.

But when buying any new sail, it shouldn't just be about the price asked, but more about a longer term plan for you to get a quiver of stepped sail sizes and with compatible masts.
On the plus side, if you buy second hand and then need to change masts, that too can usually be exchanged on the second hand market with little extra cost.

Try and have a long term view as to what sail sizes - and which brand - you would like to own.

Thank you very much basher.
I have been thinking about what you wrote for a few days now.
Comes down to what size is required and what the preferred brand is.
Honestly, I am not too sure about the sail sizes. I have just spent the last 5 months waiting for our windy season so my mind is a little bit foggy. But last season 3.7,4.2 and 4.7 was good enough most of the time. A larger sail would just get me more opportunities to sail at the start and end of the season. I figured a tight 5.5 and a baggy 4.7 might be a suitable overlap. I am just not good enough to head to the beach and choose between a 4.7 and a 5.0. But at these lower-sized sails what is an acceptable step between sails?

As for brands, I am limited to only really knowing about Severne. I lived at a windsurfing spot for a few years and the club mostly rented out Severne and starboard. I got an Ezzy SE a few years ago and liked how tough it was, so I started to buy Ezzy masts with the intention of moving over to Ezzy. I only picked up gators because the slalom sailing club that I used to be a member of, was selling them. They were in great condition, cheap, I had used them previously and they got me into the waves.
At my new spot, I know a few people but I don't feel comfortable asking to swap gear to see what brand of sail I prefer. There is no gear hire in the local area and taking the family off on a windsurfing holiday can't be done as the kids can't windsurf well yet.
I can go off reviews or websites but there are plenty of sailers who prefer their brand.
I think it is best that I stay with going for Ezzy and see where I go from there. They also seem to have a very good resale value which is good but they are also sought after and it is hard to get hands on one. Will just have to keep on looking and waiting.

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Henners said..
I figured a tight 5.5 and a baggy 4.7 might be a suitable overlap. I am just not good enough to head to the beach and choose between a 4.7 and a 5.0. But at these lower-sized sails what is an acceptable step between sails?

You don't have to be good at picking the right size on the beach, if you have a smaller gap between the sails.. The wind will always go up and down, and with a smaller span between sails one has a higher chance of choosing about right, as I see it. Whereas when the wind is right between say a 5.5 and 4.7, and varying up and down around that, you can be feeling like you never have just the right size for that day.

Personally I use 4.7 and 5.3, but I sometimes do miss that sweet size that a 5.0 offers, not too big and not too small, just right for using in waves. ;)

I only get sails that are 100% X-ply, like Aerotech sails, they take crashes very well, have never blown out a panel period, and that includes me hitting the sails repeatedly at high and low speeds with my shoulder, hands/arms, knees, and hook.

And I would not be concerned about the hook crease in the X-ply panel, but if that had happened to one of the mono film panels, ouch!

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Roy1000 said..
I thought severne sails hated other masts?

its not that severne sails hate other masts, it's other masts hate severne, severne are the victim here.

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Henners said..

Roy1000 said..
I thought severne sails hated other masts?

So did I. But it would be the same unifiber mast. Does that mean that the unifiber mast is a compromise between the two.

idk i just know from my old HGO , it has to be severne (or very similar) otherwise the stiching starts to break onthe sail and the batten pockets start ripping. Never tried other foil sails tho so unfair to compare

Another way to make the decision .....

Blade - IF ....... you always rigging same as others OR bigger / on the limit / set with looser leech / like to be garenteed powered all the time blasting around (ie you always rig your sails loose leech / on limits of its size upper window

S1 - if your move oreintated / rig smaller than others generally and therefore tighter leech / not afraid to slightly underig , and be pumping to get up and moving / appreciate smaller sails for waveriding / moves ....