Hi all, first post on this forum.
Just getting into sailing after long time out of the water - like 30 years. I used to sail on a fiberglass Warren Cornish custom board in North Queensland. It was a semi sinker but can't remember size and volume.
Need to get myself a full setup and and trying to work out the sail size I will need. I am about 75kg and will be looking for a board 100-115 litre I think.
I am thinking I will need a 5.7-6m. The winds are variable of course but wouldn't think i would go out unless wind was about 18kts and I don't remember liking sailing in really strong wind as it could get overpowering.
Do any of you guys sail in this area and if so, what sail sizes are your go to sails for the weight and board types?
Thanks Tony
I think a board 85-95 litres would be enough for your weight.
Perhaps even a freestyle wave if you want to get a board more suitable for overall surf conditions.
I have sailed around there many times on Qld trips.
At Currumbin they may be on 5.3 - 5.7 sails.
There is a previous post Wave Sailing on the Gold Coast?
Select to expand quotetomp said..
I think a board 85-95 litres would be enough for your weight.
Perhaps even a freestyle wave if you want to get a board more suitable for overall surf conditions.
I have sailed around there many times on Qld trips.
At Currumbin they may be on 5.3 - 5.7 sails.
There is a previous post Wave Sailing on the Gold Coast?
Hi Tomp, have you used a Fanatic Gecko LTD at all? Or any Geckos. There is one on this site that looks really good. 2016 Model
(PS I loved my Bombora Toy also. Showing our age I think)
Before you purchase anything, find some sailors local to your area - talk to them, ask them if you can stand you one of their boards, they might even give you a go. Then you will know what size is good for you.
Where is your local patch of water?
Select to expand quotemathew said..
Before you purchase anything, find some sailors local to your area - talk to them, ask them if you can stand you one of their boards, they might even give you a go. Then you will know what size is good for you.
Where is your local patch of water?
Hi Matthew, there doesn't seem to be many sailers here at north kirra. Mostly kitesurfers. My patch is kirra to currumbin, starting mainly out the front here at north kirra.
Yep, that is the problem, Can't hire anything and not real keen on using other peoples gear, especially someone you don't know. When i do get something I will try it on flatter water somewhere to get the hang of it again before I hit the open water. Hopefully should step straight back on. Hopefully.
I have sailed Kirra in a NE wind (Coolangatta-Kirra runs) but have only have seen kites. It's not great there
and cross-on which is why I imagine it is popular with the tea-baggers.
NE wind is good at Currumbin and where you will find the wave sailors but is really on shore.
Some go to Kingscliif and even Ballina (flat rock) as the NE wind can be stronger in NSW.
Surf FX could be your local shop, they may give you a 'loan' board to demo.
Select to expand quotetreis said..
Hi Matthew, there doesn't seem to be many sailers here at north kirra. Mostly kitesurfers. My patch is kirra to currumbin, starting mainly out the front here at north kirra.
There are *many* sailors in that area - you will often find them at Shearwater Park in either a SE or Notherly'ish directions - often there are a few freestylers out there. Then there is Currumbin on a NE - there can be a half-dozen people out on a good day. It is true that Kirra isn't a major spot.
I understand the trepidation using other people's gear - Shearwater is flat-water, so there is not much chance of something going wrong to damage gear. Modern gear is so much different to stuff from 15+ years ago, that you will benefit from chatting with someone - even if it is just to watch them rig their own gear.
If you are feeling like a drive, then Redcliffe has a dozen sailors for bump'n'jump, Golden Beach has similar numbers with dead flat water, Neal St is for the wavesailors. If you are really keen there might be a few people this Sunday (31st Oct) at Lake Weyba.
Select to expand quotetomp said..
I think a board 85-95 litres would be enough for your weight.
Perhaps even a freestyle wave if you want to get a board more suitable for overall surf conditions.
I have sailed around there many times on Qld trips.
At Currumbin they may be on 5.3 - 5.7 sails.
There is a previous post Wave Sailing on the Gold Coast?
I'll disagree with this info.
Firstly, a freestyle board is *not* good at all for any type of surf conditions - IMHO a slalom board would be a better choice (but still a bad choice) for surf. Perhaps you meant "free wave" ?
85-95 litres may not be a good choice - unless the Treis can "just jump on an go", it is likely to be too small for the kinds of wind (15-23kn) that is common to QLD. For example, I used my 86L yesterday with a 5.3m, I am currently 71kg and I can forward and back loop - the 86 was a bit too small for yesterday's small-waves and 18kn, I could have done with 95'ish.
If you are ocean sailing then don't get a full slalom board, nightmare to turn and you really need a full slalom rig.
The Freestyle wave or freewave boards are good allrounders, can put in a larger centre fin for blasting and then a thruster set up for more swell and turns.
Also try if you can to minimise your equipment by getting sails the rig on one mast. My 5.6 and 5.2m and 4.8m all rig on a 400 mast.
There are a few sailors around and its good to chat to them at the beach if you can.
The newer 100 litre plus boards turn pretty well for their size but get one with thrusters for more versatility.
Hope that helps.
There is a good review in windsurf uk magazine from Peter Hart called "Big Squirrels" its about the newer bigger freewave/freestylewave boards.
Think you can look it up online.
It really all depends on the conditions you are sailing in, your ability, the sails you have that might match the board, and wind strength you sail in.
I will go to some of these spots and check out what everyone is using.
I can, (used to be able to) jump on and go but still think min would be 95lites. I am thinking 100 to 110 or something but will ask around.
Thanks guys for all of this information. It is really helpful.
Do you guys have an opinion on a Fanatic 2016 Gecko LTD 98 litre for the conditions etc we have been talking about?
The Gecko is a good board, very user friendly but not great for coastal conditions that we get in OZ.
Its more of a Freeride board, single fin and bigger sails.
Select to expand quoteMadge said..
The Gecko is a good board, very user friendly but not great for coastal conditions that we get in OZ.
Its more of a Freeride board, single fin and bigger sails.
Hi Madge, starting to look at the Fanatic Free wave at 105 size or the starboard Kode type of boards. Any thoughts?
Also, There is a full setup that has been offered to me, but I think it is just abit too small
92ltr - Starboard Reactor 7'6" quad.
RDM mast, Naish Boom, new tendon universal.
Ezzy Wave sails 5.8m / 5m.
Where did you sail over the weekend?
I sailed at Flat Rock north of Ballina, but it was pretty big and waves were all over the place so packed up and sailed the river at Ballina.
Theres a group of us on WhatsApp, private message me and I'll get your details etc.
The reactor is a full wave board, not that easy to sail for someone just entering the wave board arena and they do need som wind to get them up and going. The rig sounds good, I'd buy that if I have a choice.
I usually use boards around 100 - 105 litres for wave sailing as my main sails used are 5.8 to 5m. I am 90kg.
Although they are close together I have a freeway 101 and a full wave quad 103, both completely different boards.
I also use a 92 when really windy and a 120 for the river and lighter days.
The 92 would really limit your sailing to windier days.
Select to expand quoteMadge said..
I sailed at Flat Rock north of Ballina, but it was pretty big and waves were all over the place so packed up and sailed the river at Ballina.
Theres a group of us on WhatsApp, private message me and I'll get your details etc.
The reactor is a full wave board, not that easy to sail for someone just entering the wave board arena and they do need som wind to get them up and going. The rig sounds good, I'd buy that if I have a choice.
I usually use boards around 100 - 105 litres for wave sailing as my main sails used are 5.8 to 5m. I am 90kg.
Although they are close together I have a freeway 101 and a full wave quad 103, both completely different boards.
I also use a 92 when really windy and a 120 for the river and lighter days.
The 92 would really limit your sailing to windier days.
Thanks Madge again for the advice. I don't want to have to wait until a storm hits to go out. I don't actually like that level anyway. I think my range will be 15-20. I think with the rig, i want to get that new, especially the sail, so I know the quality. I will message you for the whats app group. Much appreciated.
I own a gecko, but wouldn't take it in the ocean, isn't built for that. Severn dyno, could be also worth thinking about. I'm 95 and sail a 115l dyno, mainly in the bay, cos of where i live, bit have had it out in surf conditions too. It's pretty versatile and doesn't feel like a big board. It's a keeper for me. Can you get the rig on offer without the board, or get the lot and move the board on?
Select to expand quotemusorianin said..
I own a gecko, but wouldn't take it in the ocean, isn't built for that. Severn dyno, could be also worth thinking about. I'm 95 and sail a 115l dyno, mainly in the bay, cos of where i live, bit have had it out in surf conditions too. It's pretty versatile and doesn't feel like a big board. It's a keeper for me. Can you get the rig on offer without the board, or get the lot and move the board on?
Thanks , given up of the Gecko.
I have been thinking about a Dyno 105 also (amongst others Fanatic Free wave). Both expensive new.
The only thing with the rig that was offered is that I am not sure how well it, mainly the sail, has been looked after. My last sail split because even though I washed it every time, it wasn't enough. And age.
And the price for everything ($600) seems way to cheap for all of that.
If anything in this process that I get as new, it will probably be the sail.
Select to expand quotemusorianin said..
I own a gecko, but wouldn't take it in the ocean, isn't built for that. Severn dyno, could be also worth thinking about. I'm 95 and sail a 115l dyno, mainly in the bay, cos of where i live, bit have had it out in surf conditions too. It's pretty versatile and doesn't feel like a big board. It's a keeper for me. Can you get the rig on offer without the board, or get the lot and move the board on?
Curious about your comment on the Gecko, ' isn't built for the ocean'. Are you saying that it's not worth persevering with free ride boards in ocean chop? And better off on a FSW styled board regardless of size?
