SEVERNE MACH 7 7.5M TEST REVIEW 2024

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SEVERNE MACH 7 7.5M TEST REVIEW 2024

The Verdict

A complete weapon, the Severne Mach 7 is an impressive engine room. A full froth nature comes as standard, so this needs to be matched in order to be rewarded with ultra-stable power, lighting quick acceleration and speeds you have previously only ever dreamed of.

The Lowdown

The Mach 7 is the next development in the Mach series, having been a staple in their line up since 2018. From the outset, the Mach 7 is visually a top-spec race sail, with 4 cams, 7 battens, and a large luff sleeve that extends to the bottom of the top panel, which purposefully generates depth and a stiff, efficient winged profile that wouldn’t look out of place in an America’s Cup workshop. Severne’s engineering and attention to detail are apparent in all aspects of the Mach 7 – from the material layup on the luff sleeve to the four rollers in the tack to assist with downhauling and precise tuning. Inside the engine of the Mach 7, XL Roller Cams are used to maximise leading-edge stability by allowing increased cam pressure to be distributed over a wider surface area and allow smoother rotation of the cams. Positioning and placing the cams does require a little more attention than others in the category, but given the performance the Mach 7 suggests that it will deliver, it’s more than likely worth the 30 seconds or so of input and finer tuning. The leech of the Mach 7 falls away impressively with increased twist in the mid leech to decrease drag and create a fast and slippery feel. With a signature Severne deep red design, its striking racy outline and features, mean the Mach 7 looks like it is 100% made for the job.

Brand Claim

“What sets the Mach 7 apart is its power delivery; natural and intuitive, working with you across a broader wind range. That means less reliance on super high clew settings and a smoother ride. But don’t be fooled, the Mach 7 reacts decisively to rider input for a gold-level performance.”

Performance

Feeling light in the hands, the Mach 7 is easy to place through straight-line sailing and manoeuvres. Its stiff, firm, and fixed wing draft requires the Mach 7 to be positioned well to get you up and going; however, thanks to its light-in-the-hands nature this makes it simple to achieve. The Mach 7 is without a doubt a sail that will deliver you with a ride which will keep you on the edge of your seat. Accelerating you into a new dimension, the Mach 7 is instantly fast, taking you from zero to a hundred in a matter of seconds, all while feeling crisp and slippery at pace. The faster it goes, the more efficient it the Mach 7 feels, sling-shooting you through lulls and then consistently morphing every gust, no matter how small or large, into bursts of added speed or depth – depending on your sailing angle. The Mach 7 doesn’t want, nor does it like to be sheeted out, you have to match the Mach 7’s full-froth nature to get the best out of it. With the harness lines set well back to maintain and assist the Mach 7’s sheeting angle, it will reward you with fixed and ultra-stable power which allows you to focus on the water ahead as the Mach 7 asks for more. With a more than adequate top-end range, especially when utilising the three clew eyelets, the Mach 7 does respond well to some suggestive encouragement in the low end, pumping nicely with some power in the rig. Some adjustment to pumping technique is needed to match the stiffer form of the Mach 7. Gybing is smooth, with the Mach 7 responding well to any extra speed you can enter with, as the Mach 7 remains light, almost calm in the hands and through the gybe. Its reduced swing weight from the short boom length makes it easy to handle as the 4 cams rotate upon powering up on the new side. Some extra input from the rider during the rotation will elevate the exit of your gybe as you command the power and acceleration from the Mach 7. Instant performance is second nature with the Mach 7, pushing your windsurfing limits, but still keeping it within reach of mere mortals where slalom racing and speed is our specialty.