Hey Macroscien
(wind is a 10 minute average) (gust is a 3 second peak) measured 5m above the surface by the BOM official station :
Yesterday it was :
................Temp Dir Wind Gust
17/06:03pm 22.6 NNE 19 29
17/06:00pm?22.7?NE?20?29
17/05:30pm?23.9?NNE?22?30
17/05:00pm?24.6?NNE?23?32
17/04:30pm?24.5?NE?27?33
17/04:00pm?23.6?NE?26?33
17/03:37pm?24.2?NE?24?34
17/03:30pm?24?NE?26?33
17/03:00pm?25.1?NE?23?32
17/02:38pm?25.3?NE?24?34
17/02:30pm?25.2?NNE?26?34
Day before is was :
16/05:30pm?22.8?NNE?20?27
16/05:00pm?23.2?NNE?22?29
16/04:33pm?23.1?NNE?24?34
16/04:30pm?23?NNE?23?32
16/04:00pm?23.1?NNE?26?32
16/03:31pm?23.3?NNE?22?32
16/03:30pm?23.3?NNE?22?30
16/03:00pm?23.5?NNE?21?31
16/02:30pm?24?NE?20?30
16/02:26pm?24.7?NNE?20?30
16/02:00pm?24.2?NNE?21?29
16/01:30pm?22.8?NNE?22?30
16/01:00pm?24.6?NNE?20?27
So
Wednesday an average 10 minute reading of 21.8 knots, peak gust of 34 knots
Thursday an average 10 minute reading of 24 knots, peak gust of 34 knots
Wednesday I was healthily powered up on a 4.5m2
Thursday I was healthily powered up on a 3.7m2, maybe a couple of few second lulls I wasn't, but a couple of gusts I couldn't really hold on (bouncy ocean didn't help though admittedly)
So 1 knot more and it would have been enough for you to get up and going on your 8m2
I would have loved to have seen that
I have seen macro sail plenty of times on his 8m in 20 knots plus. Saw him today on his 8 when I changed down to a 4.7. It's nothing to do with mistaking kph for kts. Simply, he's just mad.
Hey Macroscien, I've successfully used an 8.5 sail on the JP Slalom 118L with a 45cm fin.
Select to expand quotealec95 said..
I have seen macro sail plenty of times on his 8m in 20 knots plus. Saw him today on his 8 when I changed down to a 4.7. It's nothing to do with mistaking kph for kts. Simply, he's just mad.
Thanks Alec 95 
ON Shearwater not the wind speed is the problem but the chop . tide opposing wind as you know the best. The same wind on Train same wind or even 5 knt + no problem at all. Today I haven't been even overpowered for a second but wind speed measured on the beach with my anemometer was 22 ktn stable most of the time ( 1 till 4 pm ).
Select to expand quoteandysails said..
Hey Macroscien, I've successfully used an 8.5 sail on the JP Slalom 118L with a 45cm fin.
Good
I have 42 cm which works almost great with my 8.0 but looking to upgrade now to 47.5 Black Project,
because still could't not get very sharp up wind with that one in stronger gusts.
47.5 should also cover my 9.8 that I tested already at 15 ktn on JP 118L slalom and works brilliantly on the reach but not up the wind.
Interesting thing is that I was sailing at KFC on Thu when Macro was there. I weigh 85k and was on 98l Naish with 5.9 Loft o2 and 28cm stock fin and was planing constantly. I could see that Macro was smoking down wind with his 8m North sail but was struggling a bit upwind and did look overpowered, which is probably the reason why. It's a nice feeling to be powered up sailing up wind.
Personally I think it is much more enjoyable to sail with a smaller rig if you can and I envy those sailors with the technique to do that in all conditions.
My plan for KFC was to get one way at speed and going back hard climbing slowly up wind ..
but because fin is too small for the sail ( 42 cm) I couldn't get easy up the wind without instant spin out
just a bit more pressure on the fin and slide to the side so I needed to take it slowly one way
on another hand at the Train when the direction is right (reaching both way at equal angle) I could get both ways without spin on this small or even smaller fin 37.5 cm Black Project.
I used to go for trainning with the rs:x gear (9.5m and 66cm fin) in 30 knt and as soon at the training session was finished jump on my wave gear (4.5m and 72 L board). Same guy (69 kg), same conditions, same spot but complete different gear size.
It is definitively possible to sail with an 8m in 25 knt. If it is the best choice is another question...
I remember having more fun on my wave gear than the rs:x in 30 knts 
I also went with my big slalom gear (9.5m and 135l board) in 25 knts wind. Clocked 29 knts 2s speed downwind and spend 1 hour trying to come to shore 
Haven't done it again since.
Select to expand quotejusavina said..
I used to go for trainning with the rs:x gear (9.5m and 66cm fin) in 30 knt and as soon at the training session was finished jump on my wave gear (4.5m and 72 L board). .
and for me is so exciting go another way and try this big racing stuff gear. Obviously doesn't make sense for me to invest RSX if not a racer but Sunday sailor 
Big slalom gear is not pure fun to everybody, but good for somebody wanted to test what his limits are.
BTW I am surprised how good JP Slalom board is to ride! Can handle this arrogant sail power , forgiving in aggressive gybes,
jump and skim over chop, but definitely that is not easy relaxing ride for newbie like me
I will never do jumps and tricks so that is another way to have some fun on supercharged gear.
On another hand I remember how many times I went in strong wind on small wave gear and after hour or two suddenly needed to swim/ paddle back when wind suddenly stopped and board sunk.
So I keep my small gear ( 84L +5.7m2) for good >25- 30 ktn or 4.2m2 >35 ktn wind ready, but often that happen on GC ?
