Hi
Sorry for the long break but I have been having computer
problems. Anyway – all is back in
working order now so here is the post about some Severne stuff and a comment or
two regarding the new iSonics from Starboard.
Severne
Severne have taken two models from 2016 and combined the
best characteristics of both to create a new super blasting sail. Great work from the masters. The new Turbo GT combines aspects of the old
Turbo with the Unit I wrote about some time ago.
On paper the 2017 Turbo GT is is one great machine for the non-racing
blaster. It is light, forgiving and
promises to be really fast. All things we enjoy.
My belief is that Severne discovered something when developing
the Unit – they opened a door to new possibilities for improved stability by
moving the power down and forward in the sail and this is what they are offering.
The Turbo GT is one sail I would dearly like to be trying in the new
season.
You will no-doubt have seen these shots on the Severne
website.
A fine looking machine and I
note from the specs that they increase the number of battens and cams as the
sizes increase. Very cool. They have not posted dimensions and weights
but please keep an eye on the site for these.
One nice thing with these pictures and those showing the new
Gators, is the inclusion of the Fox blasting board. It looks absolutely perfect on the water (imo). Where the guys are jumping we catch a glimpse
of the fins the boards will come with.
They too look like proper equipment (you may not need to buy after-market fins – bargain!)
The new Gators look great as well:
No annoying overhanging batten!
The Convert is a sail I would usually ignore (disliking
“intermediate” equipment as I do) but I will bet that this iteration is faster
and more stable than any of us thinks.
The Dacron panel is a master stroke allowing the foil to breathe
slightly for increased comfort and as we keep saying “comfort = speed”. If you believe that Dacron is an old
redundant material just go to the Hot Sails Maui site and see the awesome
products Jeff Henderson makes with the stuff.
I wonder where this particular venue is. Cross shore winds, clear, warm water, nice
accommodation and plenty of shade for equipment between sets. I want to live there!
Speaking of the Fox, here are some perspectives I had not
seen before:
What more can one say.
Perfection!
Starboard
The new iSonic shapes look great as usual. This season they offer the boards in UltraCore
Reflex which results in some crazy light weights.
They have rounded out the tails of the larger
slalom sizes to give more power – a good thing in my opinion.
The previous 114 (my favorite) remains
unchanged and has become the new 117.
They felt that adding a rounded tail would over-do the power for this
size.
Incidentally, the light version of
this board comes in at 6.3kg. Awesome
for a board of this size.
Nice work SB!
Talk to you soon
