96 SPOTLIGHT
Redline freeride
Severne Fox 105 2018
Info: www.severnesails.com/freeride-sails/severne-fox Price: £1849
WORDS: WINDSURFING UK PICS: JAMES JAGGER
FOLLOWING ON FROM LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW OF THE DYNO 105 THIS
TIME ROUND WE’RE SPOTLIGHTING SEVERNE’S SPORTY FREERIDE
MODEL THE FOX 105. COMING IN BLARING ORANGE/RED LIVERY,
ENSURING IT STANDS OUT ON THE BEACH/WATER, THE FOX
DISPLAYS SIMILAR DESIGN TRAITS YOU OFTEN SEE ON SLALOM
BOARDS – A SCOOPED OUT DECK, OUTBOARD FOOTSTRAPS, HULL
CUTOUTS IN THE TAIL AND AN OVERALL IMPRESSION THAT THIS
First run out and we coupled Severne’s
Fox 105 with a 6m in around 22+
knots. With the brand suggesting the
board laps up chop and flotsam, as if it’s
not there, these were ideal conditions for
checking that element out. And we can
confirm it is indeed the case… however, we over egged the pudding
when pushing against the fin resulting in
loss of grip. We found switching up the
fin size was therefore best if planning a
fully powered up (to overpowered)
session. For general back and forths,
however, the powerbox 36cm fin is fine.
Pedal to the mettle from the off the
105 revs up straight away with a
feeling you’ve been shot out of a
starting gun. Riding very much off the
hind quarter of the board it’s a silky
smooth experience as it blatts across
the water. The hull contours do an
admirable job of smoothing out the
ride, leaving riders free to focus on the
ahead and where that next full power
gybe should be placed. Round corners and the Fox grips like
stink, rails biting effectively. Riders can
either bang in a tight turn or arc things
out with more progressive edging. In
both instances it’s fairly simple (with
technique) to complete fast exits that’ll
have your mates playing catch up all
day long.
The Fox encourages an aggressive speed
orientated stance. On a few occasions,
uk
WIND
SURFING
The Fox is a freeride/freerace machine
through and through, of that there’s no
question. That said it still likes a bit of air
time with full chat boosts being
particularly rewarding – even from only
small ramps. Its light construction helps
when sailors fancy skying it although
those longer style jumps is where the
Fox really shines.
Conclusion
Super fast, to the point of offering
de-tuned slalom esque
performance, Severne’s Fox 105
literally flies across the water riding
very much off the fin. Whack a
bigger sail on for ultimate white
knuckle rides, being more sensitive
with back foot pressure in this
mode, or simply use as a powered
up sporty freeride toy – the choice
is yours. If you’re looking for a
zoomy straight line stick to make
use of flatter water days then
Severne’s Fox 105 could tick the
box. But don’t discount bumpy
waters either as the silky smooth
ride really takes that jarring feeling
out of choppy blasting.