It couldn't be easier to handle - at least not in the freeride class. Similar to the GA Matrix, the Loftsails doesn't show the slightest bend in the battens on land - which don't even come close to touching the mast. The Oxygen is one of the best-equipped sails, the protector in leather jacket look reaches almost to the deck and can still be opened easily and particularly wide. Two widely spaced clew eyelets allow individual adjustments to style, wind and body size. There are matching markings for the harness lines and the overall materials are of a particularly high quality. However, the path to perfect trim requires a little finesse beforehand, as the significant creases in the sail no longer run at the trim point, which is stuck far forward in the top track, even if you accidentally pull too much.
With the right trim, however, the Loftsails really gets going. Especially in light to medium winds, the Oxygen feels like it has just been doped out of the oxygen tent. Despite its flat profile, it planes very early and loads up nicely. The acceleration is rather gentle - measured and felt - and the damping in particular ensures a high level of comfort. Even in choppy water, the soft sail does not compress, allowing relaxed freeriding at good speed, but with less of a race feeling. With medium holding power and very stable in the hands, it rides almost inconspicuously at the front of the top sails in the most important wind range. It is only at the upper limit that it has to let the freerace specialists go, just like the other six-lappers.
Freeride sail with manoeuvring focus
The special strength of the sail - similar to the GA - lies in its neutral behaviour when planing, when it is stable in the hand even in gusts and gusts can be cushioned in a controlled manner at any time by slightly sheeting out. Without the annoying life of a permanently present profile. It accompanies you through your tack and jibes in an equally controlled manner: without batten contact on the mast - just like the Neilpryde Speedster, but without its pre-tensioned batten shape. With silently planed manoeuvres, you will hardly attract any attention on the beach - the opposite of the riotous Point 7 noise. The result is a balanced freeride sail with an additional centre of gravity for manoeuvres, although it has not been trimmed for a maximum crisp ride.
Surf summary of the Loftsails Oxygen
A very pleasantly damped, rather soft, but also stable sail with a flat profile and yet very good planing performance. It impresses with the best handling in manoeuvres and is also particularly easy to surf in a straight line.
Stable ride, very neutral, smooth ride
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Technical data Loftsails Oxygen Orange HD 7.0 115
- Sail weight: 4.22 kg
- Sleeve opening: 106-163 cm
- Mast used: Team Edition C100 SDM 430; 599 Euro
- Mast weight: 1.72 kg
- Price: 899 euros >> e.g. available here
all data measured by surf
