WA
1515 posts
Should start to see data/imagery in the new year once the resting destination is reached and shakedown has been finalised. Hopefully the rest of us can solve social injustice in the meantime.
WA
1515 posts
107.63 km/h = 58.11 knots for us traditionalists. Although there is little traditional about going that fast on the water. Can only imagine how the helm felt as the water around the boat was being vaporised!
WA
1515 posts
Had a mate finally do the trip from East to spend a month sailing and hang out last year, was first trip to experience our 'hot & dusty' WA summer. He cried when he left.
WA
1515 posts
Most places shut early because we're all sailing, surfing or hanging with friends at the pub. If you don't sail, surf or have any friends you'd have the exact experience you're describing.
WA
1515 posts
Saw the 2027 production 83 Pyro, S-1, Blade and Blade pro last night.
Gen3? Pyro has been nicely tweaked and tidied up from the prototypes. Simple red+fluro orange graphics. I want one.
Both Blade types were rigged and set very differently to my 2-3yr old blade pros. All the sails were bloody light fully rigged. The Pro is looking far more adventurous this year with a mix of old+new materials that give them a new visual. S-1 looked as good as ever.
Can't wait for the season to hit, had enough of this winter. Thanks to Severne for the beer and hotdog!
WA
1515 posts
I recently found myself in possession of a production Stone 94 for a few weeks. It is not my board, I was getting some sailing consumables and was asked if Id like to have a go on some new kit. Would've been rude to say no. Hopefully those with more time on the boards can add to this thread.
On land.
The board looks like a classic. Outline, length, the bottom shape, rails... it's all there. The finish of the Severne products keeps getting better, this is a thing of beauty on the rack. For a 94ltr product it's weight is impressive, its almost raceboard light and feels great in the hands.
On water.
I'm a quad/twinnie guy, so not a very good judge of thrusters and weigh in at 93-95kgs. I used the Stone 4-5 times, two lengthy sessions at Lancelin and the rest high wind, bump and jumpish at Dutchies. Unfortunately no serious down the line or down south but I've little doubt the board is made for those conditions, we've all seen the videos.
First saiI set up was with my usual quad fins, 14+10s and was overpowered with a 5.0 at Sth Passage, usual head to maybe 1/2 mast. The board was faster than expected and went upwind very well. Getting into position, bottom turns, top turns all feel natural and effortless. The board went exactly where I wanted and felt confident from the first turn. Just supremely capable without being radical, all in full control. I really noticed the weight, it makes everything easier which might be part of why it's being sailed so well by others. Shape wise is does everything you ask, the light weight just allows you to do the stuff you do better. A second session at Sth Passage was 5.0, a bit shifty, a little onshore now and then and got light. The float and ride was completely unexpected. Very stable slogging around, gets upwind off the plane and that little extra length combined with excellent volume distribution really allows good glide into waves when pumping for wave of the day. Once in the straps you're in a thinner part of the board chuck'n buckets.
I changed the fins to a 18+11 thruster set up, the wind filled back in and it became side shore. Certainly went well with only real difference being I thought the board had more drive off the top as a quad, but probably more to do with my technique than the board/fin arrangement.
At Dutchies I used it as a quad overpowered with a 5.3 and 4.5, also as a 19.5+11 thruster with a 5.6 S-1. It handled the lot with ease and was never fazed.
Thoughts
I have 2 Pyros and sail them a lot. Certainly the 94 Stone was fine with 5.6 to 4.5 as a thruster or a quad. Its surprisingly happy floating around in 10-15knts or having the hammer down in 25-30knts. Having handed the board back, the 2 key aspects of the Stone that sit in my mind are the length and ease of sailing.
The length maybe limits the Stone where the Pyro excels in smaller stuff. With the Stone you get serious all-round wave board performance, it's only upper limit in waves is probably decided by how big your balls are.
Secondly, I found I sailed at my local longer than usual on the Stone. When you step on a Pyro, it's game on, everything is happening fast and you need to be in control or it can chew you up and spit you out. Just blasting around enjoying what the day offers up, the lightweight Stone is almost relaxing to sail compared to a Pyro.
The Stone is a capable, proper wave board and the 94, or even the 88, would more than likely make a great one board solution for me in WA. A very good addition to the Severne wave board line up.
WA
1515 posts
I know it's not everyones cup of tea but I have always found the ebb and flow of tech, money and ego fascinating. And the America's Cup is never without controversy, and it's already game on, again.
No grinders, all electric onboard this time round... WTF?
Pete Burling signs with Luna Rossa... WTdoubleF?
The Cup will be in Naples, Italy... $$$$$splashed
The Brits, Swiss and Yanks are complaining... predictable as ever
Nate Outeridge is lead helm on ETNZ... Go aussie!
