Hey just wondering what everyones opinions are with the Blade and S1.
We all seem to like different feelings in a sail.
Ive tried the 2009 5.3 Blade and S1 and also the 2010 4.7 Blade and the 5.3 S1 a few times each now.
I really like both of these sails but just wanted to see if my little experience on them is the same as those who have been using either of them for a while.
How do they feel to you and why do you use them?
have you gone on the payroll greenroom
i use the s1 because i like a crisp tight feeling sail that is easy to depower in th top turn but still enough grunt for onshore.
would have liked the 2010 s1 with full xply window,,they do look a bit er...gay this year
though.
the blades look hot but never used them.
Yeh ditch the Tushy's!! What about Gators and Swat's? I think they all feel great this year, can't go wrong! Love the lighter feel of the Blade's, the Gator's have a really good tuning range and handle being overpowered so well with that slightly softer feel, loving the high foot on the Swat - reckon it helps me in moves and if you fall in towards the clew you cant put your harness hook through the sail as it's not there!!
The new blades are an awesome sail, i find the blades are more a grunty sail, the power comes from down low in the sail driving through the board more, feel better in gusty conditions and i can hold them down when overpowered..
I have only sailed the S-1 a few times and found they feel good on a wave, the power was coming from a bit too far back for me, more of a back hand power.. lack a bit of drive in the lulls.. but i haven't sailed the 2010 yet..
I've found the blades to be really forgiving and controllable in gusty overpowered conditions to the point I can hold down a 5.0 when others struggle with a 4.7, and also I'm planning when the same people are struggling with a 5.3, they're really well balanced when throwing around on a wave..., I want to try a 5.6 S1 just to see if it can get me out on those lighter days, its the biggest sail i can fit on my mast so I guess we'll see.... hmmm, i'll report back next month if I get one.....
i have the S1 range: 4.3 - 4.7 - 5.3 - 5.6 sailing the Quad81 , 80kgs sailor
difference between the 5.6 and 5.3 is marginal so i take the 5.3 always as my biggest sail in the reality because the sail fits the board better and the benefit in terms of early planing is not very much.
I never sailed the blades but i sent an email to severne and they told me that the difference between the S1 and blade in terms of power and early planing is not that much, it is a different feel of the sail, that is the biggest difference.
I am looking forward for experiences with the SWAT 5.7, also 4meter mast, short luff and boom. How big is the difference with a S1 5.6 in terms of power and early planing?
Got some feedback from severne on this and their take on if wind req. for S1-5.6 = 5.0 Blade,
"in principle yes but theory no
S1 requires clew pressure for it' s power and becomes more twitchy when bagged compared to the Blade.
So in essence the range could be further on the Blade due to its ability to be bagged out more."
also their take on the design and feel
S-1
The S-1 is the manoeuvre orientated wave sail. It pulls from further
back than the Blade, has a higher skin tension and a higher clew
position. It is designed for new school wave riding where immediate
response and tricks are priority.
Similar to: Gaastra Manic, Neil Pryde Zone.
BLADE
The BLADE is a more traditional design with a deeper draft, delivering a
more forward pull and power that drives down into the board. It is more
suited to riders who prefer a softer feel where control is important.
Similar to: Gaastra Poison, Neil Pryde Alpha.
I guess my decision may come down to compatability with my board, if I go smaller with board then the 5.6 will probably be to big. as griffie said, he takes his 5.3 as the biggest sail in his quiver cause the 5.6 doesn't fit the board as well....
Got my 2010 5.6 S1 and tried it out finally and on first impressions well, as griffe said said the biggest difference as far as severne are concerned is the feel of the sail and it was true. Comapring my 09 blade 5.0 to the 2010 S1 5.6, the outhaul is much greater on the the S1 and the luft is virtually the same although slightly more on the s1 when rigging (2cm or so), so that would be why they call it a more backhand pressure sail????.
I foiund when riding the 2 sails that the s1 seemed more centered in its power and movement whereas the blade is definately more forward of center and works more off the front hand and you can feel it drive through the front (luff) of the sail which I prefer (or maybe just gotten acustomed to) in big and windy conditions on waves where I am leaning more towards the front as a result of the power distribution of the sail and yet seem to have good control of the sail.
The S1 itself is much lighter just from picking it up, and seeing as this is going to be my biggest 'wave' sail I guess thats a good thing. Next, the wind range comparison, I managed to ride both my blade and then s1 and was happier with the s1 in the marginal conditions - the more surface area defanitaley seemed to help get me going. The difference was not planning on the 5.0 to just planning on the 5.6, which then turned into full plane very soon after with a little pump of the backhand which I was able to carry through some lulls, so as far as extending my wind range with the sails i have I have succedded.
Gybing and flipping this sail was also noticablly different in marginal conditions (14-17kts), IMO the S1 lets off the power easily and due to its light wieght flipss with little effort, is well balance and then gains its power nicely straight after, whereas the blade seems to hold power for longer through its turns and is heavier/harder to balance properly during its flip, and then gains power simarly manner to the S1 (but requires a bit more wind...).
I wasn't able to test the wave performance of the sail due to the poxy waves(4 ft dumping and sandbar churning), but little backside runs I had didn't show any issues with the way the sail perfromed and it was easy to move around and still get response from the sail.
The tuning of the sail is something I will need to perfect, as 2 clew holes and about 5cm downhaul adjustment mean the sail can be tweaked alot to get the perfect setup.
Overall I like both sails, the blades I think will serve me well when conditions are +20kts and I will likely be riding waves of a better standard, and in the marginal wind and small waves, the S1 will get me going and enjoying some waves in conditions that my 5.0 blade wouldn't - and best off all its all off the 1 mast!!!!
Winds picked up so may get a go again today (though seeming to be a bit windier today and may have more fun on the blade, well see.....)
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like the only way I'm going to know is to give one a go.
Had a go again today and tuned sail differently and got some good results, less downhaul and less outhaul - so sail is just off boom when powered up and the S1 loaded up and had lots off guts and power.. (basically trying to get the most out of the sail possible in light conditions) found myself planning very quickly and had lotsa power even through the lulls, very happy with result.responded well in the waves too, as my biggest sail I am happy with my choice....
So for a light wind wave sail, which would get you planing easier... Blade 5.7 or S1 5.6?
The Severne website says that the Blade is a more powerful sail compared to the S1, with a deeper draft.
But from what I've read here, the general opinion is that power is similar, but the feel is different?
Confusing...
I'd say if your comparing a 5.6 S1 and a 5.7 Blade, then the blade will probably get going earlier, however, a 5.6 S1 will get you going where a 5.0 blade won't. Reason for my comparison was to get the most out of a single mast.(400) whereas the 5.7 blade will require a different mast (430....), currently I'm running with a 4.5 blade, 5.0 blade and 5.6 S1 which cover me from 15knts to 30+, using the single mast (400 redline).
