Cedric: First verify board size and fin setup are correct. To improve upwind performance, reduce downhaul by approximately 0.5cm to close the head of the sail slightly.

Matteo: Key factors: Fin size – consider a bigger size. Sail size – if you are unable to increase sail size, release downhaul slightly (not more than 0.5cm) and reduce outhaul by 1-2cm for a fuller profile generating more power.

Cedric: Insufficient downhaul is often the culprit. Adding downhaul helps release power more efficiently, improving glide. Moving the mast base slightly back allows the board to ride more freely.

Matteo: Speed optimization requires systematic tuning. Start with correct downhaul, ensuring proper batten and cam tension. Fine-tune mast base position for free-riding board without losing control. Adjust boom height and harness line length for optimal comfort and power delivery.

Cedric: Poor cam rotation is typically the result of insufficient downhaul or a boom that’s too short, which pushes battens and cams forward during rotation.

Matteo: First check your downhaul tension. Make sure your sail is sufficiently tensioned. If rotation issues persist, identify potentially problematic cams and remove spacers one at a time until achieving even pressure across all cams.

Cedric: Make sure you’ve got the correct amount of downhaul and batten tension. Insufficient batten tension allows the sail profile to shift back during gusts. Proper batten tension maintains forward profile position.

Matteo: Three-step solution: 1) Increase outhaul tension. 2) If needed, add 0.5cm downhaul until the top begins to flutter. 3) Check harness line position – adjust toward the boom tail end in 2-3cm increments.

Cedric: Consistent settings work best regardless of the conditions. In extremely light winds, reducing downhaul by 0.5cm can provide additional power if changing sail size isn’t an option.

Matteo: Use recommended downhaul settings as the baseline. Adjust +/- 0.5cm to fine-tune profile fullness for conditions.

Cedric: The rig should feel like it’s working autonomously – light in the hands with enough power release for speed, while maintaining drive through lulls and good upwind performance.

Matteo: Start with the recommended downhaul setting. Add 0.5cm if  your sail feels heavy, reduce 0.5cm if your sail feels too neutral or twitchy.

Cedric: Yes. Optimal contact is 50-80cm along the back of the boom, varying with sailor weight and wind strength. Larger sails require more contact for maximum power, while smaller sails should proportionally touch the boom less.

Matteo: Mid-boom contact is acceptable. Avoid full-length boom contact.

Cedric: It’s essential. An adjustable outhaul system can extend wind range by 2-3 knots in both low-end and control. Proper boom tension is almost more critical than precise downhaul.

Matteo: For racing it is a must have. Depending on the wind strength and direction you could easily adjust the outhaul multiple times per session to get the best out of the sail. So go for it if you have a racing sail.

Cedric: Critical. The MACH 8 is designed specifically around SEVERNE masts characteristics. While other masts may fit, optimal performance requires the designed mast curve, nervosity and reflex response.

Matteo: It’s probably the most important part of your rig. Sailing with a different mast is like putting slick tires on a motocross bike. It wouldn’t make much sense. You might get lucky and find masts with a similar curve that are usable, but in general we develop the sails on top of SEVERNE masts and the two components perform hand in hand.

Cedric: Add moderate downhaul but don’t deviate from your ideal settings. First move the mast base forward and reduce fin size, then adjust sail settings if needed.

Matteo: Yes, you can add more downhaul, but attempt to stay within +-0.5cm of recommended settings.

Cedric: You can note down the distance between the sail pulley and extension pulley after a good session. Note that sail stretch may reduce this gap over time. Visual reference marks between battens 2 and 3 (from the top) can help maintain consistency.

Matteo: I usually write down my favourite settings on the foot of the sail. I also place markings on the third panel of the sail (counting from the top) to note where it is opening up. This gives me another reference I can work with for my future sessions.

Cedric: My harness lines length varies significantly with conditions. Use shorter lines in light winds, longer in strong winds. Adjustable lines are an advantage across different water conditions, so I would definitely recommend them.

Matteo: Fin slalom: 34cm light/medium wind, up to 38cm strong wind. Foil slalom: 38-40cm light wind, up to 46-48cm strong wind. On the fin I use 34” lines in light/medium wind up to 38” in stronger winds. On the foil I use 38/40” in light winds, and up to 46/48” in stronger winds.

Cedric: Use shorter lines in light winds to stay close to the rig. Longer lines in stronger winds allow more distance from the sail during gusts, improving control. Adjustable lines are definitely recommended.

Matteo: They do change according to wind strength. I use 34-44” for light wind with sails 9.0/8.0 and 40-48” for 7.0/6.0/5.0/4.0

Cedric: Race sails suit riders using slalom boards who want consistent power delivery. Waterstart ability is the minimum requirement for you to confidently jump on full slalom gear, even if your gybing skills are still developing.

Matteo:  If you aren’t crashing much and you are already railing your freeride/freerace board, then it might be the time for you to switch to a proper racing sail.

Cedric: Batten tension is crucial, especially when your sail is new. Pay particular attention to the battens that connect with cambers. Re-tension your battens after your first session due to initial stretch, then check every 5-6 sessions.

Matteo:  Yes, make sure that especially your bottom 4 battens are properly tensioned. This is the area that provides the majority of the stability in your sail. I would always add full tension when the sail is derigged. I keep the top 3 battens at relatively neutral tension

Sizes from 6.5 and up all rig on SDM masts.

The Mach 8 5.0 and 5.5 rig on an RDM mast.

Follow the recommended settings and work your way from there.

The Mach 8 is dedicated slalom sail that is compatible with the foil. The Hyper 8 is a foil specific slalom sail.

Yes, all the Mach 8 sails can rig on the Blueline 160-220 boom.
For the best performance, however, we recommend the Enigma boom.

The recommended mast to pair with the Mach 8 sail are the Apex and Apex Pro. The recommended mast for the Mach 8 5.0 and 5.5 is the RDM Red.

All of our development, testing, rigging, and tuning are done using Severne masts. We don’t test the performance or bend curves of other masts, and can not guarantee which performance or durability you can get out of your sail using a different brand mast. Therefore, we strongly recommend our customers use SEVERNE masts.

The MOTO has 2 cams.
The MOTO is lighter.
The MACH 8 has 4 cams.
The MOTO is freeride oriented with as much stability and top speeds as slalom sail
The MACH 8 is a dedicated slalom sail

You can order these parts at your nearest Severne dealer or distributor. Use the dealer locator to find your nearest dealer/distributor.

Make sure you use the right mast and cam combination, SDM cams (black) with SDM masts, and RDM cams (red) with RDM mast.

Make sure that the sail has enough downhaul and outhaul tension.

No. To rig your Mach sail on an SDM mast you need to replace the cambers with SDM cams (black).