I have been debating getting Blades for my smaller sail sizes for some time now. I have the '13 S1s in a 5.3 and 4.7 for light or consistent winds where their performance is spectacularly good however they can be a bit of a handful in stronger gusty winds. I finally took the plunge after much debating and advice seeking and got a 4.2 and 3.7 2013 Blade.
Main deciding factor was watching the Morena's kick some serious butt at Pozo and Tenerife this year in ballistic cross on conditions, Ben's recommendations also helped steer me in the right direction.
Got to try my 4.2 yesterday in gusty 22-30 knot on shore conditions in the bay and am still trying to get my head around the Blade's performance so excuse the rambling. I had a solid 1 hour session on it in a pretty wide range of condition which gave it a good run for its money.
Comparing its bagged weight to my 4.7 S1 nearly had me running back to the shop, its noticeably heavier and that's been the main reason for my hesitation in going with the Blades. Rigged it also feels heavier than the S1 with a heavier feeling above the boom. That said, from all I have read it's the lightest power wave sail on the market.
On the water it's a completely different beast to the S1. First thing I noticed is its stability, I have never sailed a wave sail this stable and I have tried a few. The Morena's performance in Pozo and Tenerife makes perfect sense now; its borderline cheating but I'll take it as skill in my case :-) The sail doesn't flinch in the gusts, no backhand tendency and the pull stays locked in, surreal is the best way I can describe it.
It feels like it planes a bit earlier that the S1 but that might be a perception thing as has it has a definite 'pulls' sensation that makes you feel like you are getting pulled on to the plane. It felt good in the lulls too, that 'pull' again seemed to keep me going where the S1 would have dropped off the plane.
Top end speed seemed similar to the S1 but that Blade's control made it more manageable in the chop. There is definitely more mast foot pressure with the Blade but it also scales nicely with the wind, the harder it blows the harder down it seems to push which seems to keep the board flatter on the water and more controllable. No sign of the tail walk when the squalls came through.
In the turns that 'pull' is really prominent compared to the S1, it doesn't depower and go neutral like the S1 but kind of pulls you around so you come out of gybes and turns with more speed than you would with the S1. You also get a thump as the sail rotates which you don't with the S1. Out of gybes you get that pull again but it's an easy sweet buttery smooth increasing pull not a jarring jolt like you get with some sails.
Jumping is phenomenal, so much lift, so much height!!! In air control is as good as it is on the water, stable and predictable. I love doing big floaty jumps and the Blade ticks all the boxes for me in this department, unbelievable.
I am not a big fan of 'soft' sails, that spongy feel just doesn't sit well with me. The Blade has a really solid locked in feel which I am still coming to terms with as it is in stark contrast to the S1's twitchy ready for action feel which I am use to.
Having used both now, comparing the Blade to the S1 is quite a hard thing to do. Best analogy I can come up with is a hard tailed cross country MTB compared to a full suspension downhill MTB or perhaps a manual to an auto? They are two very different sails.
Did I make the right decision? Sure did, I would recommend anyone sailing in gusty choppy conditions to consider the Blade over the S1.
Would I swap my 5.3 and 4.7 S1s for Blades? And miss out on the crazy light responsive, ready for action feel? Naaah, the S1's are a fantastic sails where the wind is consistent and the water smooth, its horses for courses.
I imagine going from Blades to S1s would be more difficult than the other way round, if you are use to the twitchiness and responsiveness of the S1, the Blade almost feels dull in comparison but the wind range and control the Blade gives you far outweighs the compromise.
Now what would be really peachy is a sail that fit in between the S1 and the Blade, kind of like a full suspension cross country MTB if you apply my previous analogy. Or perhaps a sail that starts with the feel and weight of the S1 in the larger sizes but moves towards the control of the Blade as they get smaller rather than have one or the other?
What do you reckon Mr Severne? You can do it!!!
Funny you should say that about going from bigger S1's to Blades
I just changed from 2010 S1 5.0 and 5.6 to 2012 5.0 and 5.5 blades and the 5.5 really feels initially sluggish compared to the S1 in borderline range wind for its size - a slow progressive pull providing there's enough wind.
I felt the s1 had a better lower end - but agree with the Blades stability when its been windier - the 5.0 feels unreal (could have been the wind as well)
The S1 was either on or off and there wasn't the feeling of "lag time"
The Blade is almost a bit like the turbo diesel in my car - once it hits the 1900 rpm its all power - there just has to be enough to get it to its turbo range.
The definitely have a diesel feel to them Russh, can't wait to try the 3.7 Blade. My 3.7 '11 S1 is pretty twitch so looking forward to more control in the stronger stuff.
I changed from Goya Eclipse's to 2012 Blades this year and have been amazed at how different two sails could feel.
The 5.3 Eclipse was a lightwind machine but as soon as I got powered up it felt too big for me, as a light weight sailor, and it got backhanded pretty easily. Perfect sail for the big units.
The first time I used the Blade I couldnt believe the feel through the mast base, it felt like the sail was pushing the board onto the water. I must admit I didnt like it and it felt like the board was slower to plane in light winds. Now after several sessions in light and strong winds I'm a convert. The sail is so light and maneuverable and has yet to feel uncomfortable when overpowered. Bottom turning is more confidence inspiring as the board just tracks nicely. These are the first Severne sails I've owned and I'm well pleased with them.
I have just purchased a Blade 5.3 2013 model. I have rigged it on a NP 400/19 RDM.
The sail felt good on the water. Can anyone tell me if the Severne red line mast
is that much better to warrant an $800. extra purchase?
Can't comment on the NP mast but the change to a stiff tipped mast compared to a CC was very noticeable in a good way. From what I know the NPs are soft tipped and I can't imagine you are getting the best out of you sail on it.
The Severne Gorilla's are pretty good value from what I have heard, and a lot less than $800. My mate runs a 400 Gorilla in his '13 S1 and is more than happy with it.
I am pretty sure K3 Battle stick mast's are supposed to work with S1s and Blades and they are cheaper still but you don't get the 2 year unconditional warranty.
D
Many thanks for your comments. I'm sure you're right about the soft tops on NP mast
as that's my impression also.
'13 S1 has a bit of back hand pressure compared to the Blade which has more of a forward pull. Both great sails but very different feel, personal preference really.
