Sail: Severne Blade Pro 5.3Weight: 2.8 kilos;Price: 949 euros The 5.3 Blade Pro weighs just 2.8 kilos. Designer Ben Severne relies on laminate constructions, i.e. two wafer-thin monofilm layers inserted between the tensile fibres made of Technora and Aramid. These are arranged precisely in the direction of tension and are intended to absorb the forces in the sail. To a certain extent, the monofilm only connects the load-bearing framework and can therefore be thinner (= lighter) than conventional monofilm sails.
Mast: North Platinum Aero 400 RDMWeight: 1.05 kilos; price: 1015 euros The lightest 400 mast in the world comes from North and, at 1.05 kilos, is significantly lighter than the premium models from other brands. We asked Brand Manager Raoul Joa how this weight saving is achieved: "The main quality criterion for carbon is the elongation of the fibre. This so-called 'elongation' measures the tensile force that occurs during bending until the carbon fibre ultimately breaks. The fibre quality ranges from T300 (cheap, slightly "higher quality" than glass fibre) to T1000 (highest quality carbon fibre). 80 per cent of all manufacturers use T400-600 for their most expensive carbon masts. We use T900 for the aero mast." In addition, according to Joa, the resin content can be reduced by using higher-quality carbon fibre, which also saves weight.
boom:North Platinum Aero 140-190Weight: 1.85 kilos; price: 880 euros The title of "lightest fork" also goes to North with the Platinum Aero. 1.85 kilos is an impressive figure and a whopping 200 to 300 grams lighter than the competition. According to North, the weight is also achieved by using a higher quality carbon, which reduces the amount of resin used.
"We don't want to resign ourselves to the status quo, we want to push the technical boundaries." (North Brand Manager Raoul Joa)
On the water: Our rig with an incredible total weight of 6.3 kilos is already a pleasure on the way to the water and flies more alongside than you have to carry it. On the straight, the sail is powerful and somewhat less light and playful than expected in the hand - the pressure point position is noticeably more important here than the pure weight. In manoeuvres, the subjective difference to "normal" light sails is significantly greater than in a straight line, and even spoilt surf testers shed a few tears of joy here. The lightweight components play their part in this, as the inert mass at the boom end and in the top is noticeably reduced. Duck jibes, jibes and wave rides are as light as a feather, maximum lightness means - you can't deny it - maximum fun. But what about another important aspect? Durability?
Yes, we set out to push the rig to its limits - backloop landings from the third floor, numerous washes in which we threw our good upbringing overboard in the North Sea wave and "just let the waves do their thing". Of course, we are aware that such selective tests are not objective and that a reproducible test setup in the laboratory is required for durability issues, but our results nevertheless illustrate the problem quite clearly: sails with lightweight laminates do not have to suffer any disadvantages during wash cycles, as the incorporated fibres completely absorb the tensile forces. However, we know from previous laboratory tests that thin material thicknesses are more susceptible to certain loads than sails with a thicker monofilm, e.g. if you get caught on sharp obstacles when rigging or hit the sail with the trapeze hook. So be careful with point loads, even a Blade Pro will always have disadvantages here.
With carbon masts and forks that go to the absolute limit in terms of weight, you have to live with smaller fault tolerances, which we also felt. The mast held without any problems, the fork broke at the end during a backloop. North Brand Manager Joa: "The more you go to the limit, the fewer tolerances you have in production. You must never forget that such high-end products cannot be manufactured entirely by machine. Fibre quality and resin quantity as well as the "pressing" are 100% machine-controlled, but the impregnated fibre mats have to be applied by hand, which always leads to tolerances. You have to imagine it like a hand-rolled cigar. This requires good quality control. Nevertheless, rejects can never be completely avoided."
In a nutshell, this means that If the work is done properly, maximum lightness can also mean maximum stability; small (human) errors in production, which would otherwise often have no consequences, result in a higher risk of breakage in the high-end sector.
surf conclusion:The performance of such products on the water is beyond any doubt. The undoubtedly high investment costs are repaid with lots of fun on the water. Such products should always be treated with care to avoid damage. However, even with careful handling, production faults harbour an increased risk of breakage, and damage often occurs during the first few uses. As a general rule: check the warranty conditions before buying! At North, for example, first-time owners of products in the mid-price range receive a two-year unconditional guarantee, but the most exclusive products in the Aero line are generally excluded from this. "However, we handle this as accommodatingly as possible," assures Joa. "As long as we are convinced that the product has broken while windsurfing, you can assume that it will be replaced."
