Hello all,
I have decided to start windsurfing again after about 8-9 years absence.
I am a bit puzzled regarding the sail equipment I would need.
I am currently fluctuating around 105-110kg, 1.80cm tall and my level is intermediate (at least it was when I stopped), i get into footstraps a bit, but no planning gybes/waterstarts.
I have acquired a 145L goya volar board and I would like to get 2 sails.
I am thinking for a 6.0 and 6.5 severne gator which I can currently buy used for decent price.
Do you think I would need to go bigger sails?
I definitely would need some initial time to get all my bearings but I would like to also have the options to consistently be planning.
Is it worth to go for bigger sails and be overpowered?
I also do like the idea of having 2 sails 1 mast since it saves space.
For reference I used to have a Starboard S-type 137L and sails up to 5.7 range (but the spot I was surfing was consistently more windy at around 25kts and I was 10-15kgs lighter)
Why get 2 sails the same size? You want about 15-20% differences in your collection, so 6.0 and about 7.5.
First of all, welcome back to windsurfing.
Nice board you picked, good for getting back in the saddle.
What winds are you going to be dealing with at your spot? I agree with Mr. Milk that a 6.0 and 6.5 is not going to give you much more windrange.... If your local spot is light on the wind better to go for something bigger. This most surely will have you to consider another mast. I don't know if you have a boom already but consider sailsizes first before buying a boom, this might save you from having to get a second one.
Good comments. I don't know of a freeride fin sail that rigs on 6.0-8.0 size on one boom and one mast but if it's out there it's worth getting that one. Or long term investing in Severne and getting a 430 and 460 masts.
Thanks for all the replies so far. I am very excited about the board.
To begin with I plan to windsurf not only in summer but extend it from April-September (i live in EU btw) basically since my work doesnt really allow me long summer vacations.
The spot is not that far away from me its around 40mins by car and i will be able to store any equipment there on the beach. It consistently has 20+ knots from June onwards with the other months having a lot 10-15ish i would say.
Right now based on your messages i can get my hands in to either a 6.2 and 7.3 duotone e-pace or a 6.0 severne gator xd and a 7.2 severne moto. This being that I can get them discounted than getting other sails/brands. I am leaning towards the severne due to past experiences a bit and i've heard that the duotone masts are a bit weird? I have no experience however.
I do realize that the two masts are unavoidable.Booms are not an issue, i aldready have my old 160-220 which should not have issues with sales up to 7.something
Be very cautious of an old aluminum boom it will possibly break on a windy day. You should also know how to de-rig the boom flip it over so you can sail back with the remaining boom arm.
Select to expand quoteKostis21 said..
Thanks for all the replies so far. I am very excited about the board.
To begin with I plan to windsurf not only in summer but extend it from April-September (i live in EU btw) basically since my work doesnt really allow me long summer vacations.
The spot is not that far away from me its around 40mins by car and i will be able to store any equipment there on the beach. It consistently has 20+ knots from June onwards with the other months having a lot 10-15ish i would say.
Right now based on your messages i can get my hands in to either a 6.2 and 7.3 duotone e-pace or a 6.0 severne gator xd and a 7.2 severne moto. This being that I can get them discounted than getting other sails/brands. I am leaning towards the severne due to past experiences a bit and i've heard that the duotone masts are a bit weird? I have no experience however.
I do realize that the two masts are unavoidable.Booms are not an issue, i aldready have my old 160-220 which should not have issues with sales up to 7.something
The Moto is a good sail but it has a bit of a luff tube that will fill with water and make uphauling and waterstarting harder. Best to get a non cammed Severne Gator or NCX in that size at your level. Avoid cams..
That board coupled with a 6m Gator seems like the best option for you.
Expand the range later
Can't you take the sails out for a sesh, trying will prob answer your queries best. Also look at what others are on at the beach
Check your winds carefully.
For planning you will need more power from your sail. There was some old speaking about weight to sail size change required. (+10kg = +1qm). Some wave power might help to change equation. So float & ride can work with your 6qm.
For reference @97kg my most used sails are 6.8 & 8 in flat water. 6.8 works around 18kn and my 8 from 15kn.
I would avoid the Moto for now. It is a great sail....(free race sail)...as mention wide luff sleeve with cams. I would stick with RAF. Gator is a good sail....blades...freeks in the Severne lineup. if NCX is nice similar to the Moto but no cams......but anything power on wave ...or free ride . wave sails usually stop at the 6.2ish size.
Blade is available in a 6.7. I have one but I only use it in the waves on a wave board. No idea what it would be like on a freeride board, but they are strong and lightweight.
Think of the gaps in sail sizes like a curve on a chart small gaps at one end big at the other...a 4.2 to a 4.7 is a big enough jump a 6 and a 6.5 is not. In my no expense spared dream quiver to cover every possible wind strength I could cope with i'd perhaps have something like a3.8, a4.1, a4.5, a5.0, a5.6, a6.3, a7.1, and an 8.0 and a 9! But then id spend all day deciding what to rig up!
Select to expand quotepeterowensbabs said..
Think of the gaps in sail sizes like a curve on a chart small gaps at one end big at the other...a 4.2 to a 4.7 is a big enough jump a 6 and a 6.5 is not. In my no expense spared dream quiver to cover every possible wind strength I could cope with i'd perhaps have something like a3.8, a4.1, a4.5, a5.0, a5.6, a6.3, a7.1, and an 8.0 and a 9! But then id spend all day deciding what to rig up!
For freeride, freerace 0 to 2/3 cams sails i learn that a gap of 15 to 20% between each sails is good.
Thanks again for the responses.
I have an update, will be doing hopefully 2 sessions either back to back or each day of weekend. predictions show 15kts for Saturday and 18+ for Sunday.
Will try to get a sail around 7ish on saturday (moto or ncx) and try the 6.0 gator on sunday.
Update after session this weekend.
Did a split session on Sat with 7.6 ncx at the start then switched to a 7.2 moto after wind picked up. Max knots were 20.
Did a session today with a 6.5 gator and a 6.2 np fusion later. Max knots were 24 today.
The severne sails felt way lighter than expected.
Even though the spot is relatively flat the cams of the moto made it feel a bit weird on my hands, very hard to make small adjustments with my hands, could also be that i was not that fresh after the ncx run.
All in all i was impressed with the ncx yesterday and the fusion today.
I didnt bring my board but I borrowed a 135 fanatic gecko.
All in all I am happy, will return next week to try some more neilpryde sails.
Just remember the purpose or intended use of those sails. Moto advance NCXfree race Fusion cross over(wave/freestyle/freeride). Buy to your ability and you'll progress quickly
