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Loft 2013

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Created by vando > 9 months ago, 23 Sep 2012
vando
QLD, 3416 posts
23 Sep 2012 7:57PM
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Received a 6.8 Loft 2013 Switchblade to try the other week.
First Switchblade Ive had for a few years.
Looks great, some nice changes in materials bit deeper profile and boom cutout.
Rigging was super easy on the Loft SDM.
Got to sail it the day it arrived felt great nice and stable rot was easy had a ball on it.
Im really looking forward to trying this some more to see how it really compares to the full racing Blades just need some wind.










seanhogan
QLD, 3424 posts
23 Sep 2012 7:58PM
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they've backed down to 2 cams haven't they ?

swoosh
QLD, 1927 posts
23 Sep 2012 8:07PM
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mmm, i see they've caught onto the red sails are fast trend, thou doesn't explain when i get smoked by everyone

btw, you get input into sail design, can you please tell them not to put adjustable heads on sails... adjustable heads universally suck.

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
23 Sep 2012 8:07PM
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No still 3

swoosh I always ask for Red sails

Haggar
QLD, 1665 posts
23 Sep 2012 11:27PM
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Looks great, happy to see reinforcing still in the head for longevity. Have they made the luff pocket wider

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
25 Sep 2012 3:05PM
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Haggar said...

Looks great, happy to see reinforcing still in the head for longevity. Have they made the luff pocket wider


I dont think so Haggar same as last years i think.

mineral1
WA, 4564 posts
25 Sep 2012 4:29PM
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Vando, what SDM Loft mast is it on?

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
25 Sep 2012 7:03PM
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430 Race Pro

Quick Rigging vid putting the cams on



not
9 posts
27 Sep 2012 6:02AM
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boom size?

thanks!

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
27 Sep 2012 6:23PM
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not said...

boom size?

thanks!


6.8 is 204

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
27 Sep 2012 8:01PM
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More pics of some of the other Loft 2013 sails

Pure lip





Oxygen













photos from www.windsurfing44.com


BenKirk
NSW, 600 posts
28 Sep 2012 6:45PM
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Lips look good and should be a lot lighter without the vario top.

firiebob
WA, 3147 posts
28 Sep 2012 8:39PM
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My 2013 5.8, I've had it for a couple of weeks but only rigged once for a look see. As Vando said looks great, rigging on my Loft RDM is very easy and quick. I like the fact it has an adjustable head, that way I can rig it on my 6.8's 430 mast instead of the recommended 400

I'll be interested in Vando's comparison because I believe for the average black duck like me these things are the go, I've gone away from race sails and now only use these





Haggar
QLD, 1665 posts
30 Sep 2012 10:11PM
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Looks V nice Firie, let us know how it goes

Dr Gas
QLD, 143 posts
6 Oct 2012 7:36PM
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I tend to agree that the average Joe doesn't really need a full on race sail. I have the 2011 6.3 and 6.8 switchblade and have no intention of upgrading yet. seems to go really well in the Redcliffe chop.
The norther lies have been awesome at Kawana this week. Could sure do with some company. The shore break can be a little tricky but in small surf it is a ton of fun. well suited for the Loft Lip wave sails, I am yet to tear one in small conditions.

Haggar
QLD, 1665 posts
11 Oct 2012 9:28PM
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V nice thanks Vando. I have to say that my 2012 7.8 Switchblade is something special and I'll be looking to get more .......

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
12 Oct 2012 8:35PM
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The 2013 Racing Blades are coming

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
20 Oct 2012 10:00PM
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Fredstyles
85 posts
21 Oct 2012 6:20PM
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TheLoft seems to have a problem with the mast recommendation for the 7.0 Racing Blade. According to this photo it's 460 whereas website recommends 430.




photo from www.windsurfing44.com



lao shi
SA, 1300 posts
31 Oct 2012 6:54PM
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Not a 2013 but just had a first outing on 7.8 Blade 2012 on a 100% Powerex skinny 460. These sails really work well for a lighter rider on a RDM mast.

Another great sail. Changed the cams over (comes with SDM) rigged it on the powerex 100 460 RDM and apart from some batten tension on the bottom 3 battens was good to go. Specs seemed spot on with a chinook boom and aeron base.



The is122 felt awesome with this sail (definitely better suited than the 7m). Smooth power delivery, more grunt out of the turns and that super stable yet light feel. Really didn't feel much different weight wise to the 2011 7m. Good speed for moderate wind and had a quick go on the is90 which planed fine with the 34 Canefire but needed a bit more breeze to be cruising. Happy with getting it planing in 15-18knts.

firiebob
WA, 3147 posts
31 Oct 2012 6:13PM
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Come on Vandoman, what's your no B/S opinion on the Switchblade for the average punter. I'm yet to use my 2013 5.8 Switchblade but I can say my 2012 6.8 Switchblade is ringing all the right bells

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
4 Nov 2012 8:00PM
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Hey Firie the Switchblades work great and are a very easy sail to use.
I think for the av sailor that sails in rough choppy conditions the switchblade is the way to go for sure. For the more experience sailor that's after the very best performance go the Blade. My preference is still the Blade it has a touch better upwind performance and travels through the lulls better.

Bring on the 2013 Blades they looks awesome


seanhogan
QLD, 3424 posts
4 Nov 2012 8:31PM
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I'm supposed to win one on facebook very soon, you can have it as I don't like the colour...

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
4 Nov 2012 9:28PM
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I hold you to that

firiebob
WA, 3147 posts
4 Nov 2012 9:36PM
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vando said...
Hey Firie the Switchblades work great and are a very easy sail to use.
I think for the av sailor that sails in rough choppy conditions the switchblade is the way to go for sure. For the more experience sailor that's after the very best performance go the Blade. My preference is still the Blade it has a touch better upwind performance and travels through the lulls better.

Bring on the 2013 Blades they looks awesome





Thanks Mate, that's what I was thinking

seanhogan
QLD, 3424 posts
13 Nov 2012 4:54PM
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vando said...
I hold you to that


geez, that contest was tricked !!! Monty told me I was going to win () sorry Vando you'll have to ask the swedish guy !!

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
13 Nov 2012 7:20PM
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seanhogan said...
vando said...
I hold you to that


geez, that contest was tricked !!! Monty told me I was going to win () sorry Vando you'll have to ask the swedish guy !!


Dam

vando
QLD, 3416 posts
4 Jan 2013 11:25PM
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2013 Loft Blades are here.
Had my first run on the 7.8 today Felt Nice.
The sails feels very different this year more so then other years.
They feel super light and easy in the hands.
Hopefully I get to try some of the other sizes on the weekend

here are some pics from today






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"Loft 2013" started by vando