I'm looking for a bit of feedback on Loft Switchblades, specifically 6.8. Does anyone have or sailed these.

PM Vando, he uses them up there.

from Loft site;

Thanks to Windsurfing Journal Germany for their Switchblade Test in their issue June-July 2009.


The Loft Switch Blade 8.5
First impression:
For a long time we haven’t used a sail of ex-ART designer and current The Loft Boss Monty Spindler. Therefore, we became more curious about the 8.5 Switchblade that we received together with a Loft 490 skinny mast.
Until today, we only knew the opinion of “sail-experts”; skinny masts longer than 430 are not working because they are too soft.
The Switchblade is well equipped. It has 8 battens, 2 cams, a second set of cams for rigging on SDM masts, as well an adjustable outhaul included in the sail bag. The sail is made from 80% X-ply, and includes all necessary reinforcements- but feels surprisingly light.

Rigging and setup:
The Loft recommends a variation of the downhaul by 5cm, to cover a huge wind and handling range. After long time testing, we could confirm. Our recommendation for a normal weight
Windsurfer (75kgs) would be 1cm less than the max. downhaul length.
You will cover a big wind range, and the variable outhaul offers the possibility to adjust your sail easily for different wind situations while windsurfing.

Performance on the water:
Forget everything what you heard about skinny masts longer than 430cm. The Switchblade is evidence that freerace sails can work perfectly with 490 RDM masts. Actually we should inform that we were scared how well it works.
The Switchblade is a sensational freerace sail with the best combination of performance and handling, including the widest wind range of the complete test.
It doesn’t matter if low wind or high wind, it shows always the same marks, or even better marks, than the con-currents in this sail test.
We can’t remember ever having a test product in the past that was surprising us like this. Before the test no one imagined that- especially The Loft Switchblade- would “catch our hearts by storm”, even that we knew Monty is one of best sail designers in the world.

SUMMARY:
The Loft Switchblade 8.5 was the surprise of the test, and it’s our personal favorite. It feels like 7.5sqm sail that offers the performance of 8.5sqm in a “monster-wide” range.
Sensational!
Pro: Best attributes in handling and performance
Contra: Nothing
The Switchblade received- in all categories- the highest possible marks;
-Planing
-Speed
-Top end control
-Handling
-Windrange.
Sail was tested on a 2009 The Loft 490 RDM 100%

Other sails in test: Gun Canonball 8.6 Tushingham Lightning 8.5 Gaastra Swift 8.3
Sailloft Cross 8.5 Aerotech Rapid Fire 8.3 Severne Element 8.5 Naish Redline 8.5
North S-Type 8.4 Pryde V8 8.5

Vando has a 6.3 for demo.

I rode one the other day
I found they have a very narrow wind range and are no where near as stable as my hellcat. I suppose if your looking for a cheap sail they are ok but i'll be sticking to my Pryde .

Was it rigged on the correct mast and tuned right? What size sail and what conditions were you sailing in?

I'm toying the idea of getting a new quiver for summer and considering these sails. I'm considering these along with NP V8s.

I used a Switch Blade at a Loft demo day last Sunday at Victoria Point Bris I used a 2009 6.8 & a 6.3 I really enjoyed these sails I found them very user friendly easy rotation on the gybe. I reached 32kts 2 sec peak in about 14 to 18kts of wind & clock up 56km which was a breeze after not sailing for about a month. So I would say they are a good sail. For the money you wouldnt beat them as my Blades are out lasting many other more expessive brands most twice the $ (Best for Less sails)

Some other members seem to have a less rosy view on longevity.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51878

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westozwind said...

Some other members seem to have a less rosy view on longevity.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51878

Pick any brand and you'll find someone that's had an issue, all sails that are on the market nowdays are excellent and comes down to personal choice/$

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westozwind said...

Some other members seem to have a less rosy view on longevity.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51878

longevity probs or just bad rigging technique.

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choco said...

Pick any brand and you'll find someone that's had an issue, all sails that are on the market nowdays are excellent and comes down to personal choice/$

He speakum truth does Choco

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winddude said...

I rode one the other day
I found they have a very narrow wind range and are no where near as stable as my hellcat. I suppose if your looking for a cheap sail they are ok but i'll be sticking to my Pryde .

are you sure it was a switchblade.

had a very good look at them on the weekend at the demo day and they didn't seem to be lacking in wind range, or speed, or early planing etc.

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Mobydisc said...

Was it rigged on the correct mast and tuned right? What size sail and what conditions were you sailing in?

I'm toying the idea of getting a new quiver for summer and considering these sails. I'm considering these along with NP V8s.

you wana be quick with the V8's moby, they are gone....replaced with the H2

I own a Mega XS 5.6 m Loft sail. It is the model before Switch Blade circa 2007. It rigs easily on a 430 sdm mast. Solid build but once planing feels light in the hands. It is very fast and comfortable, especially up wind. Best on flat water like the caloundra bar. I haven't found it's top end yet. If the Mega XS is anything to go by I will be looking very hard at the Blade 6.3 or 6.8 as a flat water speed sail. I can't fault the quality of Loft sails.
Anyone know how easy it is to use a 460 sdm on these bigger sails?

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Dr Gas said...

I own a Mega XS 5.6 m Loft sail. It is the model before Switch Blade circa 2007. It rigs easily on a 430 sdm mast. Solid build but once planing feels light in the hands. It is very fast and comfortable, especially up wind. Best on flat water like the caloundra bar. I haven't found it's top end yet. If the Mega XS is anything to go by I will be looking very hard at the Blade 6.3 or 6.8 as a flat water speed sail. I can't fault the quality of Loft sails.
Anyone know how easy it is to use a 460 sdm on these bigger sails?

The Blades are RDM only. The 2010 7.0 rigs on a 430.
The Switchblades will rig on either SDM or RDM

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Dr Gas said...

I own a Mega XS 5.6 m Loft sail. It is the model before Switch Blade circa 2007. It rigs easily on a 430 sdm mast. Solid build but once planing feels light in the hands. It is very fast and comfortable, especially up wind. Best on flat water like the caloundra bar. I haven't found it's top end yet. If the Mega XS is anything to go by I will be looking very hard at the Blade 6.3 or 6.8 as a flat water speed sail. I can't fault the quality of Loft sails.
Anyone know how easy it is to use a 460 sdm on these bigger sails?

If it's a Mega XS it isn't made by Loft sails, GUN sails make the Mega XS.