2010 11m Severne Overdrive?

[mcross19]

Used this sail for the third time at the weekend and I just can't seem to get on with it. Basically there is no constant centre of effort, I move the harness lines forward and I have too much pull on my back hand I move them back and I have to put both hands in front on the lines. Now is it a duff sail I have here or were the 2011 sails better due to using the reflex system? I have tried everything, more downhaul, more outhaul.......I wouldn't mind but everytime I have used it the conditions have hardly been gusty.

And before anyone wades in with I bet you moved the harness lines too far, no half an inch at a time.

So has anyone any recomendations as to what sail will work beston my US147, an 11m Reflex or a 2011 9.7m Overdrive?

Please help, Martin

[Remi]

Hi Martin,

Witch mast you are using on this sail? I have personally the 9.7 and enjoy really a lot with it.

All the best

[mcross19]

Hi Remi, I am rigging it on a severne enigma 530

[BelSkorpio]

Hey Martin,

First of all, what wind force are we talking about ?

I can't say anything about the Severne sails, because I've never used them.
I'm using a Gunsails MegaXR 10.9 on the US147 and find it a perfect match.
It works fine and comfortable between 8-12 knots average and peaks to +/- 15 knots.
Much easier than on my F161, but the F161 points better and is faster upwind

What you describe reminds me a bit of my old Gunsails 9.5 freerace sail that I used on my F161.
It was a very early planing sail but I always got so quickly overpowered with it, when the wind picked up.
The Mega XR 10.9 is a lot bigger and heavier, but much more stable and easier to control in the same wind conditions.
Again, I'm not sure if the difference is the same between the full race and freerace sails of Severne, but if you get the chance to test a reflex, I would not hesitate. A friend told me that the reflex sails cover an extremely huge wind range.

[mcross19]

Hi Belskorpio, quite light so I'm guessing that it was around the 8-12 knot range. That is what it sounds like, getting overpowered too easily. I understand that the race sails have a bigger wind range but the trade off is weight and more difficult rigging and this is why I went for the overdrive in that size.

I think I will have to get the 9.7 Overdrive as I will need a bigger mast to use a 11m Reflex and that is an expense that I can't justify at this time.

[BelSkorpio]

Hi Martin,

I understand when you say that the free race sail is cheaper, easier to rig and also easier to water start and uphaul (mainly because of the smaller sleeve).
That's all true.

But, I've repeated already in many other threads that the heavier weight of a full race sail is only of importance when carrying the sail in and out of the water. When you're actually sailing, it is of no importance and the full race sail will only make windsurfing easier. You get lots of stability and control in return, and this for a huge wind range. You also don't need to be an expert to get the benefits of a full race sail. At least that's what I have found over the last couple of years.
The big belly, wide sleeve and lots of flex are the key factors for control.

Because new full race sails are very expensive and difficult to find in windsurf rental clubs, it's not easy to test them. I was lucky to find good 2nd hand sails. It might be an option.
Test it and you will know the difference.

[MOP]

Is there a big difference in the bottom end also? Better for overdrive than reflex i guess? never tried a reflex myself.

[Remi]

Hi Mop

The Reflex have more mast bend curve to make the sail more stable compare to Overdrive, the reason why Overdrive are more easy in light winds. Pumping is more easy also.
Reflex give you more performances and stability in more wind.
All the best

[Remi]

Hi Mcros19

It's the same mast for the Severne Reex 11 and the Overdrive 9.7.
May be you give to much tension at the boom. Difficult to give advise without senn how you rig your sail.

All the best

[BelSkorpio]

MOP,

Free race sails are better in the bottom end, but this is compensated by the fact that you can use for the same wind a larger Full race sail.