Sick of waiting for 20 knts week after week I bit the bullet and bought a light wind rig last week (H2 8.2 + X6 mast + boom). Friday night I was just off planing in about 15knots. Of course I did not anticipate NO WIND for the rest of the weekend! But now Im wondering what are the limits of max sail size & min wind speed? Is it possible to rig for 10 knots..or even 5 and still get the buzz?
I would have thought you would easily get going in 15 knots with an 8.2 My light wind kit is a 9.3 switchblade and an Isonic 121 and I can get planing in 12 knots and I am 100 Kilos.
Well yes I had it planing for the brief period the wind actually hit 15 but but it dropped off pretty quickly. All in all it's a great feeling out there and in flat water for once was a bit of a novelty. Wondering why there arent more light wind sailors on the bay?
We get quite a few light sea breezes down here in Hobart and it is good fun cruizing around on the river. Can still get speeds around 25 knots in a 12 to 15 knot sea breeze. Faster than all the bigger yachts, but can't keep up with the foiler moths.
Not planing in 15 knots? What size board are you using?
A large board and that size sail would get me going in 10 knots
Board size does matter heaps, but fin size does as well. Plus your body weight.
I used to have a 133l board, 7.7m sail with a 45cm fin. I was able to get this kit planning in 10-12knots on the bay with my body weight of about 83kgs. Currently I'm using a RS:One and with a 7.8m rig. I'm now planning in 8 knots, but this board is 210l and designed to get going real early for course racing etc.
What board and fin size are you using?
Just checked the wind record for last Friday and it was probably more like 13 knots in fact and only briefly 15. The board is bit of chugger JP160 Funster which I removed the centreboard and original 28cm fin and added a 48cm fin. I weigh about 78kgs.
Anyone planing in sub 10 knots and what rigs?
Hello, Purplehaze,
144L, 8.1 kg, 85cm wide, 62 cm wide @30cm from tail, 62cm fin (Deep Tuttle box), NP 8.5 V8, carbon boom (max 1/3rd extension), adjustable outhaul = 8kts for me (accurately measured), my weight about 80kg.
It may not be economically worthwhile for you to do it.
For 13 kts, I can easily plane on a 135L, 7.3kg, 80cm wide board, 44cm fin, 6.2 wave sail (set very full), carbon boom (different to the boom above), no AO. Can also use a NP 7.5m V8 with this board and probably plane at 10kts but so far, I haven't had to do this on a regular basis and so I haven't noted all of the wind speed details.
Both boards become a handful around 20 kts.
You would have to check with SHQ, but I believe its about $3600 RRP for complete kit.
Not sure about buying the board separate. You might be able to as a replacement option. Once again check with SHQ.
There should be a few on the water this season, racing in the WV course racing series.
PH,
This link is useful if you are considering a new board: http://boards.mpora.com/kit/windsurfing-boards/hybrid-raceboards and you want to find out wht's available.
The Hybrid board shown on the Bic site looks interesting and if you follow the links, you can end up with a distributor in NSW.
You might also look at the 2nd-hand market through this site.
Decisions, decisions!
Ok so now I know there are few light wind enthusiasts out there how come I never you see you on those 10 -15 knot days? where are you all hiding? (or is it that I never check out the beach on those days myself? hmmmm).
There is plenty of us out there. Last season taught us we need to face facts and get back to our grass roots and sail bigger kit if we want to sail more often.
The bigger kit and course boards allows for more cruising and touring days. Plus the new course racing fun series that Windsurfing Victoria will be running next season will be great for the light wind enthusiasts.
Keep an eye on this forum for where ever one is sailing on the weekends etc.
Hi Purple, I guess the reason you don't see me on those 10 - 15 knot is because I do 99% of my sailing in Inverloch. I can get my 150L Techno plaining in around 10 knots with the 8.3M sail. I'll try to get a session in on the bay with you soon so maybe we can fine tune your light wind techniques.
78kg, 155L carve (275 * 74), 50cm formula fin, NP V8 8.5 sail (3 cams, and rigs on old heavy 460 resin mast)
minimum planing ? no idea. I try from 10 knts upwards
Im always out: sat,sun & summer eves, greenpoint and hampton beach mainly
The Gun Run idea sound like a good one!
My wife and I were talking about cruising from Mordi up to the Ricketts Point tea house the other weekend on our raceboards, but didnt actually get the time to do it in the end!
There's heaps of cafes etc and other good places to cruise to around on the bay....
Go for a formula board and rig (9-12m sails). Its very popular in NSW due to our fair share of light wind days. Good guys get planning from 6knts and we race in anything above 7knts.
Gun run sounds awesome.
Any other Formula Sailors out there.....
I'm getting my 11m over from NZ soon and would be keen for some light wind sailing/cruising. Managed a good few longer sails around the Auckland harbour on the formula gear with the RS:X boys when I was living in NZ.
Not a bad deal on this package, $2000 = 11.8m sail, mast + formula board
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing/Sails/~rwix_/2009-Point7-Ac1-Sails-Masts-12-metre.aspx?search=b6%2fLEVHqrBOEHglrwRtZu9E%2b6UhpghYh
