Matt H here from Auswind:
I have been using and loving the Severne Renegades for the last 2 years -
Here is a pic of The Renegade in Action
(Photo Credit: Col Leonhardt - Birds Eye View Photography)
The Gator replaces the Renegade this year in the wave sizes- i have been pretty amped on these wave sails for durability (not one trip to the sail repairer in 2 years!) and performance - amazing bottom end performance at scarbs, sensational control at Greenhead, Gnarls and margs. and i reckon the color fade graphic looks tops! paradoxically these sails are insanely light - moving away from that heavy dull feeling that so many other brands feature in their "durable" wave sail. Severne manage this becasue they concieve and spec so many of their own sail materials - rather than just buying off the menu.
this light feeling is PURE GOLD in the larger sizes which combines with the "springiness" of the sail to deliver a super dynamic ride.
This review just in from planchemag France:
For 2008, the Gator range has been completely redefined to cover all windsurf styles from 3.7 through to 9m. Each size has its own evolution of cut, batten choice etc., depending on its program: small sizes are wave orientated, large sizes are freeride orientated. The common features are a superbe colour fade design and a 100% X-ply construction. More raked than the average sail, this 5.5 has a vario top, 4 tube battens out of 6 and good reinforcements. The edges of the sail are protected nicely.
Very light, the Gator is powerful sail that has a solid tension along the mast and suppleness along the trailing adge. Very dynamic on to the plane, it’s very well balanced and offers an excellent compromise between performance and maneuverability. Nevermind the water conditions - the sail adapts itself to a maximum range of situations, with instant fun and little effort in your arms.
You also get a very nice wind range thanks to a very good profile stability. It can be more back-handed than the pure wave Blade, which means that it’s also better at bump and jump and better at passing through wind lulls. Compared to other sails in the same category, it is among those that are more wave and freemove orientated, being better at tricks and surfing than straight-line blasting. It goes well in onshore conditions when you need a bit of push to get through the sets while needing maximum maneuverability. From Severne sails, this is the sail that combines the best of freeride and waves.
