Windsurf – July 2019

92 JULY 2019

FREERIDE FOIL SAIL TEST

THEY SAY

All cams are positioned below the

boom to lock the power zone very

low in the sail where it can most eas-

ily be controlled. Swing weight is also

improved by lowering all the hard-

ware and allowing the upper sections

to flex and exhaust freely.

WE SAY

The Turbo GT is Severne’s cammed freeride sail,

incorporating a single cam in the three small-

er sizes, before switching to twin in 7.0m and

above. Capable of being used with an RDM

or SDM, it was tested here on an Apex SDM,

deemed to provide better stability. It rigs con-

ventionally, the cams popping on effortlessly

without the need to apply outhaul, whilst the

leech falls away progressively as more downhaul

is applied. Setting cleanly, the Turbo GT dis-

plays a moderate profile, located well forward in

SEVERN E TURBO GT 7.5M

WEB WWW.SEVERNESAILS.COM PRICE £695

VITAL STATS

Size: 7.5m Luff: 484 cm Boom: 194 cm

Battens: 6 Cams: 2 Ideal Mast: Severne 460 cm

SDM/RDM Extension Required: 24 cm

Available Sizes: 5.5,6.0,6.5,7.0,7.5,8.1,8.6,9.2

the draft, the luff sleeve being one of the narrow-

est in the group. The main panels of the sail are

predominantly monofilm, complimented with a

Kevlar x-ply luff panel to mitigate any vertical

stretch, yet provide horizontal elasticity. There’s

the brand’s much loved eM4 x-ply in the foot

panel for improved durability, and tube battens

used within the sail’s structure for enhanced sta-

bility and performance. With seamless head and

foot panels and Spiderfibre used along the leech’s

perimeter to improve strength, the GT is well

considered and detailed, as you’d expect from the

Severne loft.

Set for light airs, with minimal tension on

the downhaul, the mid-leech tightens to provide

maximum pumping response. And boy, does it

work well! The sail’s relatively upright luff curve,

combined with the stretch afforded by the Kev-

lar luff panel turns the GT into somewhat of a

secret weapon in marginal conditions. And since

the two cams are located below the boom, the

sail seems to hinge and breath much more easily

above the boom, punching the board forwards

with every pumping cycle. Accelerating quick-

ly, it feels wonderfully light and precise in the

hands, more akin to a 6.0m than a 7.5m, which

leads us to a top tip when using the GT. Because

the centre of effort is locked so far forward in the

draft, and the inset clew eyelet means the boom

is so short, it is easy to get carried away in the

marginal winds and over-sheet the sail once go-

ing, undoing all the hard work you initially put

in, in releasing the board from the water. So once

going, stand upright, be subtle and let the sail

breathe away from you.

As conditions increase, the GT can be fine

tuned through its broad tuning range to increase

the twist in the sail and explore its performance

range. Fast and efficient on all points of sail, it

is just so light and crisp in the hands, acceler-

ating instinctively in gusts without any need or

demand placed on the rider. In transition the

cams glide effortlessly round to

the new tack without any punch

or jolt to upset the rider’s stance –

the forward facing power helping

to keep the board driving through

the turn. A useful asset in conven-

tional windsurfing, it is also a real

virtue in windfoiling, pulling the

rig forward through the turn,

the soft rotation helping to keep

things settled at the most critical

part of the gybe.