SPOTLIGHT 95
Sky’s the limit!
Loftsails Skyscape 7m
Info: https://www.loftsails.com/windsurf-gear/sails/skyscape Buy from: https://4boards.co.uk/ Price: £729
WORDS: WINDSURFING UK PICS: JAMES JAGGER
THE LOFTSAILS SKYSCAPE 7M IS THE FIRST FOIL SPECIFIC SAIL
WE’VE MANAGED TO LAY OUR GRUBBIES ON (THANKS TO BOB & STU
AT 4BOARDS FOR THAT). OUT OF EVERYTHING AVAILABLE DURING
SUMMER 2018 THIS IS ONE THAT CERTAINLY PRICKED OUR INTEREST
– ESPECIALLY WITH MONTY SPINDLER AT THE DESIGN HELM.
So what makes a sail foil specific? Low
end power, ease of pumping with that
extra vroom transferring directly to lift,
light weight handling once up and foiling,
the ability to keep apparent wind going
and therefore foiling through lulls and
manoeuvrability to name a few things.
Rigging the Skyscape is something to
focus on first. It’s a sail that fits both
RDM and SDM masts with the ability to
swap out its three cams depending on
the mast in question. It’s important to
rig the Skyscape with enough downhaul
(but not too much) then set, and adjust
batten/cam rotation, via outhaul. The
cams pop in quite a stiff manner with
too much belly in the sail not allowing
them to pop correctly. It may take a bit
of faffing to get the tuning right.
Even with the above said we were
comfortably flying in 10 knots during
most Skyscape outings. A few pumps
sees your board and foil surge forwards
efficiently. Having induced that all
important apparent wind the 7m stays
powered up leaving riders to focus on
getting the foil fully running.
Flying along and the Skyscape is an
effortless blaster. Although you do feel
gusts and lulls it doesn’t bend riders out
of shape allowing for a composed and
relaxed experience. If you should start to
lose power then a couple of in and outs
– not even real pumps – will see vroom
restored and flight continuation.
Through gybes Loft’s Skyscape 7m keeps
its shape and therefore remains balanced
and predictable. During the latter stages
of turning sailors will need to rotate the rig
aggressively, pulling on the power and
popping the battens with authority upon
exit. With speed on tap, however, foiling
gybes are certainly possible with the
Skyscape 7m as your engine.
Conclusion
There’s certainly no question the
Skyscape 7m is perfect for light air
foiling. That deep belly and low cut
foot allowing for early take offs as
soon as gusts hit whilst its light
handling is perfect for booting
about on foil. A degree of gybing
technique is needed, in conjunction
with correct rigging, to ensure
cornering is efficient. And in our
opinion it’s a sail best partnered
with high aspect foils for optimum
results. An additional benefit of the
7m is it can be used as a standard
blasting sail making it a versatile
performer.
uk
WIND
SURFING