FREERIDE SAIL REVIEW
Yes the new Severne NCX & MOTO have just been released and are ready to give you acceleration, speed and quality control. But what do they feel like to use, are they what you need, will they work with your current quiver and how do they cross compare and relate to sails like the Gator.
If you’re looking for either larger sails to get you powered and planning this season in lighter winds or you’re a speedster looking for top end GPS busting runs in higher winds, then either of these could be perfect for you….
Read on for all you need to know.
Photos: Windwise + Kurosh Kiani/Severne
Finding the rig Freeride rig can be tricky should you go for a NCX, MOTO or maybe a GATOR?
NCX & MOTO
Severne Freeride Power
SEVERNE NCX + MOTO
NCX
“No cam fast Freeride”
SEVERNE NCX
NCX 2026 Version
The NCX is a 7-Batten full on Freeride blasting sail offering top end performance without the need for camber inducers. Previous versions of the NCX were renowned for their incredible top end stability, but potentially at the expense of low end get up and go.
They were considered quite flat, maybe slower to plane compared to a GATOR. However, the high end stability, enabled you to ‘hold onto a NCX’ when everyone else had change down – twice and then gone home 🙂
So what’s new?
The latest version has blended in with far more enhanced bottom end power to get you up and going with lots of low end drive matching early planning performance of the GATOR. This has now created a wider wind range, BUT, still kept the ridiculously reliable top end stability. So the new NCX has more draft in the lower section to lock in that early planning power, but still has the twist to exhaust and allow you to go as fast as you dare.
So who’s it for?
If you’re a flat out, ‘I want to go as fast as I can’ but don’t want cambers then the new NCX is built for you. It will feel bit stiffer and more powerful than a GATOR due to the extra battens and sail profile. So the NCX really comes into its own if you want the best possible stability, power, forward pull, seat of your harness drive and control – but not the ‘fixed front end’ of a cambered sail.
“Flat out, Freeride and Freerace performance without the fuss of camber inducers.
BEST BOARD CHOICE FOR NCX
Fast freeride like: Fox / Fox-Pro even a MEGA.
Q. Can you put it on a recreational board like a Verso?
A. Yes, in the larger sizes you could put a NXC on a Verso, especially for more superior stature sailors who are going to be wanting to hang onto larger sails in stronger winds.
How Does It Feel?
Riding a NCX you’ll sense a very reliable locked-in, powerful, stable feeling that really drives the board forward. Having 7 battens it’s more solid and less throw about compared to a Gator. So basically you’re getting close to the stability of a cambered rig, but it’s far easier rigging, waterstarting, gybing and general rig handling.
2026 version gives improved low end early planning performance, whilst maintaining super high wind control. Here Antoine Albeau & Cedric Bordes max out on the NCX against the MOTO.
NCX & MOTO
MOTO MANIA
“A Freerace 6 Batten Beauty”
SEVERNE MOTO
MOTO 2026 Version
So what’s new?
If you take a look at the new MOTO, you’ll soon see it’s a Twin cam + 6 batten, wide luff tubed, deep drafted, leech twisting power house. The new version has been deliberately made lighter in the hands and you’ll notice a very smooth rig rotation in gybes, waterstarts and rig handling – which is unlike many other ‘cambered’ rigs. It’s specifically designed to provide increased directional drive, top end speed, over achieving stability.
Should YOU use a MOTO?
Once again it depends on your sailing style and what you’re riding.
If you’ve used cambered sails, fast Freeride/Freerace boards then, the new MOTO will feel like a weight has been taken off your back. It’s very manageable and unhindered compared to many other cambered rigs. Having only two-cambers and how Ben Severne has cut, styled and formed the sail, it means you get locked in draft, but not feeling like you’re handling a barn door of a full on slalom race sail.
How Does The MOTO Feel?
Riding it you’ll feel very locked-in, with a more powerful pull forward than the NCX. It really drives the board flat and you’ll be going FAST – whether you like it or not! It’s easier to ‘pump’ than a full slalom multi cam rig but still cuts through gusts and turbulence like SAILGP catamaran. You might never actually be brave enough to test to full range of its top end capabilities! I have to say I liked it because it wasn’t too physical to sail compared to other multi cam sails. Especially when paired with a SV Blue or Red RDM mast and Enigma boom you’d be forgiven for feeling like your rig has had a Mounjas weight loss injection.
The MOTO allows you to go as fast as you dare - without the need, cost, extra muscle of a full on race sail.
Best Board Choice For MOTO
Dyno+Verso?
Not really as the rig is arguably too over powering for what you’ll be doing on that style of board – go for a Gator. In larger sizes you ‘could’, but if you’re a ‘regular’ waterstarter and at that ‘learning gybe stage’, then much better to go for a Gator or NCX (In 7m+ sizes).
Fox?
If you’re used to cambered sails, then this will be wicked if top speed is your thing. Plus they work really well as your largest sail and reduce how early you need to change down. If you’re not into cambers, then check out the NCX.
Fox-Pro & MEGA
If you want the ultimate performance, lose all your friends, blow up your GPS, but don’t want a full slalom race sail, then the MOTO is for you on these types of boards.
Too be honest, I don’t usually do cambered rigs, but I’ve actually just ordered a 6.8 MOTO to go on my Fox Pro + MEGA... Can't wait for those fast flat water drag races - I need all the help I can get!
MOTO & NCX
Matched up with Fox Pro
NCX / MOTO / GATOR SUMMARY
FREERIDE
“GATOR-NCX or MOTO?”
SEVERNE SAIL CHOICES
GATOR v NCX v MOTO
The GATOR (5 batten Freemove-Freeride) is a true, popular all rounder, super easy rigging and tuning, great low end early planing and a softer more responsive feel and that impressive SV high wind control top end. The GATOR suits a more recreational improver-intermediate rider not needing that locked in feel of the faster NCX. So I would say that if you’re on Fox-Verso-Dyno (In single fin mode) then a GATOR is usually a better choice for rigs from 5-7m. But if you’re looking at larger size rigs and or want a really fast locked in feel with incredible stability (and now with added bottom end to get you going) the new NCX is a relevant choice.
NCX (7 batten + Rotational) v MOTO (6 batten + cambered)
NCX Pro’s: Easy rigging, fast, very stable, locked in light feel and easy gybing for such a powerful sail.
NCX Con’s: More locked in and harder to waterstart than say a Gator.
MOTO: More dedicated time rigging needed, more challenging gybing and water starting due to cams, but FAST – very close to full on race performance. Go for a MOTO if you’re used to cambers or you want to try an super easy cambered sails and are looking for those extra knots and full on drive on fast Freerace boards.
MOTO Pro’s
That locked in state, very fast, super stable and that OMG this is rapid feeling.
MOTO Con’s
Heavier in the gybes than NCX & Gators, so not ideal unless you make most of your gybes.
And yes, you’ll need more technique for your waterstarts, but you’ll be going faster in between them 🙂
The MOTO allows you to go as fast as you dare - without the need, cost, extra muscle of a full on race sail.
MEGA MATCH
SEVERNE MEGA FREERACE
If you’ve sailed Freerace/race boards a lot and you really want to test yourself and your GPS top end speed then you could really ramp things up and put a MOTO or NCX onto a Severne MEGA!
It wakes you up and grabs your attention like smelling salts, giving you that rapid electric car style acceleration and pins you back into your harness – feels like you’re sticking your head out of a car window! On flat water, any Freeride sailor (used to outboard straps) can sail a MEAG. In rougher conditions, you need to be more experienced to cope with the speed.
The deck pads are lower profile than the Fox, but are still very comfortable and give you that full on race feeling and extra sensitivity. Pair the MEGA with a MOTO or M8 and it’s a speeding ticket!
Check out more info on the MEGA
MEGA Freerace
MOTO MADNESS
Super fast power & forgiving
NCX+MOTO+GATOR
KIT ADVICE & DEMO GEAR
Do You Want Kit Advice?
If you want more advice on your personal quiver, then get in touch and we can advise on what is exactly right for you, your quiver and maybe even get you a ride on some kit too!
We also, sometimes have ex demo gear for sale or can help with best retailers to fine tune your choices.
info@windwise.net
Quiver Glow Up
We always try to bring some SV gear on all our UK Sessions and overseas experiences. We aim to bring kit that suits the expected conditions and level of clients so you can try this stunning gear! Verso’s, Dyno’s, Pyro’s, Gators & Blades and how about a MEGS too?
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