Tests


	The Loft 2005 Full Tests

	Wind tests 05 Tested: THE LOFT O2 Freerace \| Size 8.4 THE ART OF THE DESIGN IN A FREERIDE SAIL! PRESENTATION For this test we present to you the 8.4 m2 Freerace Concept of the range O2 Freerace Concept 2005, which presents real profile/design freeride performance. The finish is very neat, just as the quality of assembly. The materials are quite selected, like special Dacron of the sleeve and X-Plys. One threads the 490 without problem, but it is nevertheless necessary better to make the accordion to arrive until 514 cm of the mast! The top plug is useful, but needs a check to fit. Maximum tension is needed to make the sail leech free, but fortunately the tension is not so difficult to apply; the 3-roller tack pulley facilitating things well. The design is very clean, perfect definition of profile. One almost comes to regret having had another color, this yellow-flouro not seen since years. SAILING Bigger and thus heavier than the average of this group, this Loft O2 8.4 offers pleasant and very rapid power in hand. One immediately appreciates the good reactivity of the sail, which is flexible and answers the smallest thrust of pumping. Powerful with low winds and immediately very easy to settle in the wind, comfortable and powerful on the level of its accelerations from standing start, this 8.4 m2 shows an exceptional stability of profile in high winds. Monty Spindler succeeded in offering control of great class in the gusts to this sail which is actually cut for light breezes: the sail shape does not move back and the top of the sail breathes perfectly. For manoevers the rotation of the profile is excellent, the battens pass gently, but it should not be forgotten that it is a 8.4 at the time of the jibe attack.

Planchemag 2005 - March/April
Tested: The O2 Freeride Concept | Size 6.6

Also tested sails:
Gaastra Matrix 6.5 / Gun Flash 6.3 / Naish Evolution 7.0 / Neil Pryde Saber 6.7 / North Sails Crossover 6.6 / Severne NCX 7.0

A UNIQUE FEELING

The design

The sail freeride of Monty Spindler preserves its curved lines with 7 battens including 3 tubular of carbon. Relatively fine of profiles (light hollow on bottom), this sail has the characteristic to be trimmed on a RDM mast 4.30 m, even if it also work with a traditional diameter mast. For the level of construction, in addition to the strongest proportion of monofilm X-Ply, it is necessary to underline the excellence and the quality of the reinforcements at all the levels. Solid!

Team point of view

Equipped with a departure to planning more progressive than the average, the O2 is a very fine sail in control, which offers a peel of elasticity on the front of the profile. Once launched, one appreciates at the same time the smoothness of piloting and the degree of acceleration. Except on the level of the weight where it pays its quality of manufacture, Loft Sails positions at the top or in second position in each one of our criteria of test, which shows the O2s high degree of versatility. Very soft for manoeuvres with the advantage of the RDM mast, it may be only slightly slower in light and irregular winds for heavy people. For the remainder, it is forgotten completely in the arms thanks to total neutrality and an excellent work of the tip (this is its secret!). For the second consecutive year, the O2 brings a fresh air in this group by its pleasantness of control and its total freedom in the hands.

Planchemag 2005 - March/April
Tested: The LIP Wave Concept | Size 5.2

Also tested sails: Aerotech Phantom 5.3 / Arrows Flight 5.4 / Gaastra Poison 5.4 / Gun Wave MC 5.3 / Naish Force 5.3 / Neil Pryde Search 5.4 / North Sails Duke 5.4 / Severne Blade 5.3 / Simmer Style Crossover 5.3

STABILITY AND SOLIDITY IN ANY TEST

The design

The Loft the brand of the big Monty Spindler (old Mister A.R.T.!) installed in Tarifa, continues to offer pure sail lines with the image of this Lip Wave. Its structure 100% X-Ply monofilm and its complete upperworks make it one, if not THE most robust of this group. This sail is very "top-of-the-range".

Team point of view

Recommended on a RDM mast of 4 m, the Lip is a powerful sail that delivers a large feeling of stability. It is based on an exemplary work of the tip that it is in the choppy, the gust wind or the famous backloop receptions. With the fine and flexible time in control, it forms part of this sails' super fast performance and very is handy in manoeuvres. The Lip is very easy and neutral when surfing waves, and has the possibility of accelerating when one wants. Only the true reproach that one little to find to this sail, this is a weight that remains slightly over the average. It is the price to pay to obtain the best in terms of solidity for a sail which, point out it, presents an excellent quality/price ratio. Qualities which make this Loft Sails a frightening weapon in all the conditions, side or one shore. To discover urgently.

German SURF Magazine issue 01/02/2005
Tested: The LIP Freewave Concept | Size 6.2

Also tested sails (freestyle):
Arrows 8 ball 6.0, Gaastra Echo 6.0, Gun Sails Jam 6.2, Naish Boxer 6.2, NeilPryde Expression 6.1, North Sails Disco 6.4, Severne Freek 6.4.

"LIP Freewave - a name that sounds not so much like flatwater-action in El Yaque... however Monty Spindler confidently submitted his "freemove" sail into our 05 freestyle test. And why not?... the performance requirements for wave and freestyle sails (around 6 m2) are nearly the same: early planning, soft handling and sufficient on-off functions are all needed for convincing an engaged windsurfer. It was no surprise that this "freewave concept" design would work in tricky conditions, yet as well the LIP has a very early planning quality; in lightwind the Lip starts planning as early as the Severne. Naturally, the strong reinforcements in the LIP make it feel slightly heavier than the super light Australian design. The LIP, when compared to the North Disco or the less reinforced GunSails Jam, has a similar feel regarding weight. For Duck Tacks and moves that need a power-off-function where the profile becomes flat (which is appreciated by dedicated and technical tricksailors), the LIP has no leech fluttering and no nervous movements - no power-point wandering. The Loft LIP Freewave Concept also feels soft and smooth in your hands if the wind comes up."


	The Loft 2004 Test Quotes

	The Loft is windsurfing efficiency and simplicity... feel it! Ask a Loftsails owner or check magazine test results. The LIP Wave 5.7 - [Windsport] Windsport 2004 Tested: The LIP Wave Concept'04 \| Size 5.7 "The LIP is gaining popularity each year. This is a soft, luff shaped 5.7m wave sail that reacts to sheeting angles as well as any wave sail tested. The forward-and-low sweet spot is suited for a true wave board in pure wave conditions where instantaneous maneuverability and power control is expected. Nimble in the hands with precise control... The nice thing we found with the LIP is how well it worked for blasting and B&J conditions. With above average lifespan features, this LIP will withstand the test of time." The LIP Wave 5.2 - [Windsurfing] Windsurfing 2004 Tested: The LIP Wave Concept'04 \| Size 5.2 "It sits in your hands with a level of calmness that is instantly rewarding. ...this 5.2m has exactly the same high level of detail and workmanship as the LIP did in the smaller size. There is a very stable, trustworthy feel to the LIP, with every ounce of energy in marginal wind conditions seemingly translating to forwards motion. ...when the wind picks up however, and the sail is retuned for stronger wind conditions, does the LIP truly begin to show its colours. The LIP Wave 4.7 - [Windsurfing] Windsurfing 2004 Tested: The LIP Wave Concept'04 \| Size 4.7 "...it was immediately apparent that there was quite a wide tuning range available... It feels balanced and poised in the hands, driving from low down with real purpose. ...a bit more downhaul and outhaul applied and the LIP's top end performance is easily a match for any other sail on test. It has a distinctly composed and solid nature, never ruffled by the most severe gust." The LIP Wave 4.7 - [Surf Magazine] SURF Magazine 2004 Tested: The LIP Wave Concept'04 \| Size 5.2 "Monty Spindler has created a real converting artist. Even with full trim the Lip feels soft and smooth in the waves. With flat trim there is enough power with soft batten rotation that the Lip becomes a handling-wonder... The Lip has not quite the playful lightness like the Gaastra sails, but the Lip has more power than they do. The unusual thing about the Lip is that the outhaul tension for highwind trim could be nearly 20 cm more than the zero position. Fact: The Lip is an extraordinary design with a big windrange. The likable smoothness and soft handling will well please a large public." The LIP Wave 5.2 - [Planchemag] Planchemag 2004 Tested: The LIP Wave Concept'04 \| Size 5.2 "5 stars! ...the Lip Wave is a rather collected sail that is characterized by the quality of the materials and reinforcements employed. Refined on the level of the design, it easily presents a superb mast protection and astute for rigging. It is one of the best reinforced sails of this group. ...the Lip is very fast and is neutral & easy surfing in waves, offering robust and precise handling. One appreciates the elasticity feeling and the nervousness that emerges so as to always sail at high speed. Very versatile, the Lip Wave is a Turbo Wave, a fast wave sail with particularly high stability, ideal in onshore conditions for its smooth power and leech release. Also a good sail for side shore conditions due to his neutral profile in the surf." The O2 Freeride 6.6 - [Planchemag] Planchemag 2004 Tested: The O2 Freeride Concept'04 \| Size 6.6 "The O2 is the sail with the largest proportion of X-Ply in his category and is very well reinforced, more than other sails. We feel the experience of the designer in all the details, like the huge mast protection to be open with a velcro. It is a sail that does not cease accelerating by offering an incredible general balance. The O2 is fine in control, with the feeling not to force; a very pleasant feeling that one does not find in any other sail. For top-speed the O2 does not miss a charm through feelings that it releases in navigation. It is a particular sail intended for those in love with speed and jibing without effort. A success." Detailed 2004 \| 2003 \| 2002 tests

	up

CONCLUSION

Extraordinary sail for light wind, pure freeride with high performances on flat water and with a high wind range. Great ART, thanks a lot Mister Spindler!

+ : Homogeneous and accessible, stability piloting, design, fittings/finish.
- : Only: large for manoeuvres.

View WIND Test scans:
page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4
page 5
page 6 (The Loft)

Tester point of view - Paulin
"A very pleasant sail with which one can sail on the end it so much is stable and light in control. With its high level performances and its comfort in the manoeuvres, it forms part of the very best sails of the group. A big and beautiful surprise for this sail which I did not know."

+ : Smoothness, performance of point, comfort, control, and manoeuvrability.
- : Small lack of nervousness in light winds.

View PM Test scans:
page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4
page 5 (The Loft)

Tester point of view - Maxime
"The Loft is a very stable and very robust sail which brings much support in on shore and the jumps. In addition to the fact that it is a little heavy, the trick which obstructed me, it is the lack of visibility in the window: one sees less well that with other sails."

+ : robustness, price, wind range, neutrality/power, flexibility
- : the whole remains heavier without being embarrassing

View PM Test scans:
page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4
page 5
page 6 (The Loft)

Test Summary:
"In the Northern or Baltic Sea, most surfers use the same sail for waves and tricks in flatwater - and then, the LOFT is the best choice."

The Lip Freewave has, in the sum, the best marks in the following categories:

- early planning
- freestyle quality
- freeride quality

View SURF Test scans:
page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4


	Windsurf UK \| The Loft O2 2005

	At A Glance In sizes 5.9m to 7.4m is the O2; The Loft’s Freeride Concept sail, designed for sailors who want easy speed in a light and friendly package. This is the 2005 version, as the new season’s model wasn't available in time for the test unfortunately, although it is in stock now. Refining his two-sail range each year, Monty Spindler avoids making change for changes sake, preferring to evolve the designs through constant R&D at his test bed of Tarifa. Built as robust as they come, the O2 is a particularly well-engineered sail, and thanks to the brand’s now familiar Sensitip head, has one of the most eye-catching outlines on the water. Rigging and Set Requiring significant downhaul tension, the O2 has masses of tuning range, the leech twisting off almost right down to the clew on maximum loading. Setting conventionally by playing the outhaul against the downhaul, it retains good rotation in the two main battens, and has some shape to its profile below the boom, before quickly becoming flat further up the sail. Ride and Handling On the water, the O2 is a very interesting sail, combining the straight-line performance of a freeride sail with the balanced handling characteristics akin to a freemove foil. Taking a closer look at the sail’s cut goes someway to explaining this, with the large sail area below the boom supported by just a single batten and a relatively high clew eyelet. As such, the O2 is a stunningly versatile contender, catering for any rider style or board type. Providing a great deal of bottom end power, the centre of effort is placed well forward in the sail, efficiently transferring energy directly to the board to coax it onto the plane. Accelerating smoothly to an impressive speed, the O2 is solid yet supremely balanced and comfortable in the hands, which, combined with the sail’s awesome tuning range, allows the rider to adopt the stance of their preference. In marginal conditions, it can be used to great affect cruising around leisurely, the sail breathing and responding to the smallest gust. As the wind increases and the conditions become severe, the O2’s top end stability is incredible, the centre of effort secured by extra tension, opening the leech and enabling excess power to exhaust effortlessly. A great deal of fun to use for long periods, its composed handling and rock-steady stability make the O2 one of the top performers in this group over distance, easily handling any sea state. For: Excellent all-round performance from a well built and engineered sail. Easy to rig and set, giving it an awesome wind range. Against: As a user-friendly freeride sail, the O2 can’t be faulted. Verdict Offering easy, enjoyable and versatile performance across an impressive wind range, the O2 is a stunning freeride sail, whose handling nature can be altered according to its set. And at a very competitive price it comes well recommended by us.

	up


	Windsport magazine \| O2 Freeride 5.9

	Windsport magazine tests The Loft O2 Freeride 5.9 and identifies ONLY the O2 as BOTH a High-Speed performer AND a Low-end power and torque performer. Windsport also reports that the O2 is "Full of details". Check it out - download ZIP with this article.