Julian, what are the differences between a foil freek and a normal freek in terms of dimensions and profile?
The Foil Freek is like a stretched, lighter version of the Freek with only four battens. It can be trimmed more bellied and the greater upwind leverage generally improves light wind efficiency. The boom length is correspondingly shorter and the sail feels smaller in the hand than it actually is.
In what conditions do you use the Foil Freek?
I use the sail in absolute light winds. I only have advantages with the sail. And in my opinion, these are often the best and most rewarding foil sessions - when my colleagues are already sitting on the beach on a summer evening and firing up the barbecue, but with the right equipment on the water there's still enough time for a few effortless laps.
Is the sail only suitable for foiling? Or can you also use it with a fin?
I would say that the Foil Freek offers very similar advantages in the lower wind range on the fin as on the foil. Early planing through a lot of power and a nice amount of lift upwards in ducked manoeuvres characterise the sail on the fin. It also pulls you consistently through wind holes, which makes the whole light wind experience on the water more dynamic and fun.
The Foil Freek is very efficient for tricks in light winds."
What are the downsides of the concept and how do they manifest themselves on the water?
The upwind range is limited. In tight, gusty conditions, when the normal, tighter Freek with its five battens still offers more than enough pressure point control and agility, the Foil Freek inflates quickly. As a result, it becomes sluggish and feels overpowered more quickly, which is also due to the fact that it is generally softly tuned and cannot let off steam. However, this effect occurs more quickly on the fin than on the foil, as you are travelling with the fin in generally stronger winds. There is also no point in pulling the Foil Freek flat as a board - this goes against the concept and does not work. You should then quickly rig one size smaller or use a normal freek - it's a matter of taste.
So how can you sensibly integrate a foil freek into your own sailing range?
For those who want to freestyle and make manoeuvres and like to ride a lot at the lower wind limit, a foil freek is a good addition as a light wind weapon. As soon as the wind is strong enough and you don't have to worry about early take-off or planing and planing through, most people will be well served by a normal freek as an all-rounder with a wide wind range. Personally, I have a 5.2 and 5.6 foil freek as my biggest freestyle sails and I use normal freestyle sails underneath - this has worked well for me over the last two years.
Technical data Severne Foil Freek
- Sizes: 4.0/4.4/4.8/5.2/5.6 square metres
- Luff: 401/416/434/445/457 cm
- Boom: 144/149/152/162/170 cm
- Price: 767 to 842 euros
- Info under severnesails.com
