Severne has been the leading brand when it comes to wind foil sails for years. Meanwhile, the 6th version of the Hyperglide has already been released. In recent years, the Hyperglide has developed towards slalom racing foiling and is therefore increasingly moving away from the HGO (Hyperglide 3), which will remain available unchanged for the IQfoil class at least until 2028. Time to get on the water and experience whether Severne has managed to make the Hyperglide better again.
Red is Severne’s trademark. The Severne HyperGlide 6 is still red, but there are some more color variations in the sail. In addition, compared to the previous version, an even larger part of the mast cover is transparent. At first glance, not much else seems like it when the sail is flat on the ground. Severne also doesn’t tell much about the changes of the HyperGlide 6 compared to the 5. We see that the mast length is 1 or 2 cm longer across the board. The boom length is the same for most sizes. The sail is available from 5.0m2 to 9.0m2. The largest sizes are also optimized for slalom racing foiling. We have tested the most popular sizes, the 6.0m2, 7.0m2 and 8.0m2.
Differences clear when rigging Hyperglide 6
If we set the sails, the differences quickly become clear. We immediately notice that the downhaul tension is a lot higher than with the previous version. In addition, we have the strong impression that the entire sail is flatter and / or that the pressure point is slightly further back. In any case, the upper part of sail is definitely flatter. In addition, the loose leach is clearly less than in the HyperGlide 5. On the side, that looks a bit unusual. If we didn’t know any better, we’d think we’d put a mast with the wrong curve in the sail. What has remained is the enormously wide mast cover. The mast cover has even become a few centimeters wider.
On the side we notice that the cambers rotate extremely easily. We can’t remember ever having a racing sail that rotates so easily. Whether it is the 6.0m2 or the 8.0m2 it rotates very easily. Perhaps this is because the front part of the sail is flatter. The ‘hit’ that you normally have when rotating the sail is also clearly less. This of course makes the foiling gijp much easier.
Furthermore, the sail feels a bit unusual for a slalom racing sail. Despite the higher down haul tension, we feel quite a bit of flex in the middle part of the mast and in the top we feel enough tension in the fabric to be able to pump effectively. At the same time, the sail also feels light and stable on the shore.
Hyperglide stable and light on the foil
Most of the time we spent with the Hyperglide 6 8.0m2. With the off-shore gusty wind of between 14 and 18 knots, we could also experience on the side how much power the sail delivers in the lower wind range. With the Starboard X-15 85 and the F4 Foils Slalom Race 800 we go on the water. There is little wind on the side, so float until we get 1st good gust. With the active pumping, we immediately notice that the sail at the top has much more tension. Pumping is therefore super effective. The pumping feels similar to the Severne HGO 8.0m2. A lot of power, so we can easily make speed.
Once on the foil, the character changes to a super stable sail that feels very stable. The power we felt with pumping in the top is now gone and in the top the sail opens neatly. Often with sails with less loose leach (as with the HGO 8.0m2) experience a lot of pressure on the rear. There is no question of that at all now. The sail feels extremely well balanced.
We indicated that the wind was rather gusty. Even during hard gusts, the sail remains very stable Where the HyperGlide 5 could sometimes react nervously at the top during strong gusts, the HyperGlide 6 doesn’t. We therefore notice that we keep control over our gear in a better way. In fact, we don’t have to lean forward with our weight as much to control the lift.
If we steer downwind with a strong gust, we notice that the set not only accelerates more easily, but in 1 way we are ‘easier’ on the board than we were used to with the old sails (note: foot strap positions and other settings have remained the same). With the old sails we sometimes found it difficult to steer away from the wind with a strong gust. Now this seems to be easier.
Lighter and easier to rotate
We did not measure the depth of the profile, but even during foiling it seems as if the profile of the HyperGlide 6 is less deep, especially at the bottom of the sail. Despite that, in the low wind range have clearly more power and with more wind the power is comparable, but more controllable. The sail then feels very light at all times. Above we already wrote about the ease with which the cambers rotate. It’s even easier on the water. This allows you to jib more easily, in a controlled manner and at a higher speed, without flipping the cambers off balance. Even with little pressure, it is easier to stay on the foil. That’s exactly where the PWA races are won or lost.
Update larger than from HG4 to HG5
Meanwhile also with the 7.0m2 and 6.0m2 sailed. These sizes also show the same image as the 8.0m2. Again, the improvement in the low wind range is very clear. That means that you can foil up pretty quickly with a small size sufficiently powered up. With the 6.0m2 we feel and see that the pressure point is further back. That makes the 6.0m2 a sail with a very wide range of applications. With the 6.0m2 we had to place the mast foot about 1.5 cm further forward compared to the HyperGlide 5. In addition to the extra power from the sail, a mast base that is slightly further forward also gives more control over the board.
It almost sounds contradictory, but the HyperGlide 6 is improved in terms of control in higher wind range. And the HyperGlide 6 is perhaps even more improved in the low wind area in terms of power and handling (rotating cambers) compared to the HG5. We therefore experience the upgrade from the HG5 to the HG6 a lot bigger than from the HG4 to the HG5.
Who is the HG6 suitable for?
- Of course for the demanding racer
- The freeracer will appreciate the handling and the good low wind performance.
- Upgrade from the Foilglide to the HyperGlide 6 is easy to do. Very recognizable feeling
- Less suitable for VMG racing, the HGO is a much better sail for that
Want to try the Severne Hyperglide 6 yourself?
Do you want to test the Severne Hyperglide 6 yourself? We can have the Severne HyperGlide 6 in sizes 6.0m2, 7.0m2 and 8.0m2 available to try out. To make an appointment or ask your questions. Feel free to contact us.