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Loft 6.8 Switchblade or 6.6 O2

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Created by Mistral Nick > 9 months ago, 9 Jun 2010
Mistral Nick
QLD, 370 posts
9 Jun 2010 3:43PM
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Hi I'm considering my next purchase. Has anyone sailed both of these for a comparison.
My current most used sail is an 08 KA 6.6, very quick but showing signs of age and looking for a replacement.
Would I be disappointed with a camless sail? Is the Loft O2 as quick as a Switchblade ?
Comments or suggestions welcome. I'm trying to keep my passion to a budget.
Cheers
Nick

choco
SA, 4175 posts
9 Jun 2010 6:27PM
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Hey Nick,
Just give Vando a buzz i think he may have a couple of demo sails you can try.

Mistral Nick
QLD, 370 posts
9 Jun 2010 7:02PM
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Heard he had sold em all but not confirmed

choco
SA, 4175 posts
9 Jun 2010 6:41PM
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Best bet then is to pm FirieBob he's got a 5.9o2 and a 7.8 switchblade

shear tip
NSW, 1125 posts
9 Jun 2010 8:07PM
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Hi Nick,

I've got a few loft sails: 5.9 O2, 6.8 switchblade, 7.4 O2

I think the decision should come down to what type of sailing you do. I'll assume you're looking for a purely flatwater sail, but do you like B&J? If you're into jumping, you might prefer the O2s. I don't jump much and currently LOVE my switchblade. It has a lower centre of effort compared to the O2, and so you can carry a larger size than you would on the 02. I bought the 6.8 to fit in between the 5.9 and 7.4, but in reality the 6.8 can cover a similar wind range to the other two. You can belly it out for light winds, and the low centre of effort and added stability from the cams, take it up into a higher wind bracket.

I won't bore everyone any longer, any questions, feel free to PM me...

starboarder
QLD, 189 posts
9 Jun 2010 8:23PM
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hey i have one for sale 2007 but not used much at all, cheap as chips...

firiebob
WA, 3172 posts
10 Jun 2010 11:40AM
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I agree with master Tip

To answer your questions, no you would not be disappointed with an O2 sail and yes I believe an 02 can be as fast as a Switchblade.

I've been using only cammed sails for about 15 years till I got my 5.9 O2, I was really surprised how good it is. I have done over 35 knots with it on a freeride board (100L Kinetic Gladiator). I now have a 7.8 Switchblade which is also great for all the reasons Tip said, I use this sail for crappy days on a 111L Futura and the 5.9 O2 for very windy (rare) rough days on my slalom board at Yorkies Beach.

Is your 6.6 a Koncept, to give you an idea I spent an arvo chasing a mate (far better sailor) all over the Swan, he had the same but one size smaller board to me, I had the 5.9 O2 and he had the 5.8 Koncept, really there was bugger all difference speed wise. Before I get shot down, of course the Koncept is a faster sail, but I have found on less than ideal conditions the O2 will hold it's own.

I use a 6.8 Loft Blade on my slalom board 90% of the time, great sail but it will be a toss up when I replace it between another Blade or the Switchblade as I believe most of us in the real world don't need race sails.

Not knowing you, how you sail or your spot, I'd lean towards the Switchblade although you would be very happy with an O2 also.

Mistral Nick
QLD, 370 posts
10 Jun 2010 6:39PM
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Thanks for the feedback guys, my sailing is flat water at the Train (Gold Coast) on a Mistral Screamer not really bump and jump just blasting , I also have an 5.9 o2 but rarely used as the winds are usually 15-25 and rarely more. My KA is a Koncept 6.6 but I think for me a full race sail is probably superfluous and I'm looking at value or bang for the bucks. The simplicity of a no cam sail is appealing, however the switchblade may be more controlable.
Cheers

firiebob
WA, 3172 posts
10 Jun 2010 6:27PM
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Go the Switchblade then

vando
QLD, 3418 posts
10 Jun 2010 9:53PM
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Hi Nick yer the o2 will hold its own on the water thats for sure.
If your looking for allot of bottom end then maybe the SB would be the go.
I do have a 6.6 o2 2010 left pm if ya interested.

ta Vando





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"Loft 6.8 Switchblade or 6.6 O2" started by Mistral Nick