Being new to the windsurfing world, I have found a myriad of board, sail, mast and boom options for the windsurfer.
I am 6'0 tall 180 lbs. and will be the new owner of a Bic Techno Formula 170L after this weekend.
I am looking for a sail that can perform in a variety of wind conditions. Most likely I will be sailing in winds averaging from 10-15 or 10-20 mph.
What is a good sail size for that broad range of winds as my first sail? Secondly, what size would I want my second sail to be?
I have been checking out sails in the 8.5M to 10.5M range. Can anyone let me know if I am on the right track?
Thanks!
Fred
Sail Size Recommendations???
Moderator: MK
Sail Size Recommendations???
Fred
Stillwater, MN
Stillwater, MN
My most used sails are my 5.7, 6.5, 7.5.....i would recommend something around the 6m range for sure. The larger sails are harder to learn on and wind the get in more preferred range 15-25 range, they aren't that usefull in my opinion. If you get something newer you can get a lot of range out of it. Can you waterstart, jibe, get in the harness/footstraps? if you get those down, the large sails shouldn't pose much trouble. I would just hate learning to waterstart on a 8m+ sail. I also like have something smaller for more heavy winds. I love my 4.5 Gaastra Poison for those days.
~Ben
~Ben
Last edited by thewavebb on Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
For 10-20mph & 180# I would think 7.5 or 8.0 like the Retro would be your bread n butter.
I would then go with 6.0 for more wind and a big sail (9.0+) for light wind.
The thing that kind of sucks is huge sails typically use huge booms (220-280) and masts (490/520/550) so it kind of depends on how badly you want to sail light wind. I say don't worry about waterstarting a big sail on a 170L board, just uphaul. Work on waterstarts with the 6.0 when it's windy.
However, during the warm summer months light wind is ever present and big stuff will get you out there instead of mowing the lawn which your significant other will have to do because you're at the lake!
Note: Heavy wind crowd may be highly offended by the above opinions.
I would then go with 6.0 for more wind and a big sail (9.0+) for light wind.
The thing that kind of sucks is huge sails typically use huge booms (220-280) and masts (490/520/550) so it kind of depends on how badly you want to sail light wind. I say don't worry about waterstarting a big sail on a 170L board, just uphaul. Work on waterstarts with the 6.0 when it's windy.
However, during the warm summer months light wind is ever present and big stuff will get you out there instead of mowing the lawn which your significant other will have to do because you're at the lake!
Note: Heavy wind crowd may be highly offended by the above opinions.
I'd say start with the small sail and get the big one later. Your not going to want to be uphauling a huge sail all the time when your learning. If you do go with say a 7m for your first sail then go 2 or 3 meters bigger for your next, It takes that big of a jump to realy feel the power diference in large sails and light wind. I think a 10m and that large board would be a nice light wind set up for you. You'll be ripping even before the big kites can get out.
I Dig Big!
Fred, I'll give you my two cents worth.
I have a 182 (light wind) and a 152 Volume Boards and we are about the same size.
I mainly use my 6.5-7.4 and a 9.6 Sails. My 9.6 is my "bread and butter" sail. I use that sail 50% of the time. Why? Because in the Twin Cities area you are going to get a lot of 10-15mph days and very few 15 to 25.
I decided a long time ago I would rather be out on the water sailing rather than sitting at home with high wind equipment gathering dust and staring at "hopeful "wind graphs on my computer screen.
I enjoy "the whole experience" as much as I do the sailing. If I just want a speed rush... I'll take up sky-diving! The 8.0 sounds like a good start to me. Good Luck and have fun with that new-used board!
Doug
I have a 182 (light wind) and a 152 Volume Boards and we are about the same size.
I mainly use my 6.5-7.4 and a 9.6 Sails. My 9.6 is my "bread and butter" sail. I use that sail 50% of the time. Why? Because in the Twin Cities area you are going to get a lot of 10-15mph days and very few 15 to 25.
I decided a long time ago I would rather be out on the water sailing rather than sitting at home with high wind equipment gathering dust and staring at "hopeful "wind graphs on my computer screen.
I enjoy "the whole experience" as much as I do the sailing. If I just want a speed rush... I'll take up sky-diving! The 8.0 sounds like a good start to me. Good Luck and have fun with that new-used board!
DougDDD
Fred:
I love that name! Welcome to the asylum... for what it's worth, it's not getting cold... it's getting windy (we hope)!
One thing about the upper midwest is the best wind is often May and October so a good steamer wetsuit and much more importantly a decent drysuit are a WAY better investment than most other gear ('bout the same as a new sail)!
Brrrr!
I love that name! Welcome to the asylum... for what it's worth, it's not getting cold... it's getting windy (we hope)!
One thing about the upper midwest is the best wind is often May and October so a good steamer wetsuit and much more importantly a decent drysuit are a WAY better investment than most other gear ('bout the same as a new sail)!
Brrrr!
Welcome to the wonderful world of wind and water (mylar, x-ply, carbon etc).
For one sail, I recommend a 6.0 to 6.5. Somewhere around 7, sails start to feel big. It's the feeling of swinging a barn door. Once they get going, they want to keep going. It's not something I want when I'm learning. Below 5.5, there's not enough, on decent learning days (10-15 mph), to get the feel of power in the sail.
Then, my number 2 sail would be a 5.0, for the really decent learning days!
See you on the water. Don't let go till your face hits the water. Unless you hear Rich (you'll hear him if he's out there). Then dive and hope your gear survives the impact.
For one sail, I recommend a 6.0 to 6.5. Somewhere around 7, sails start to feel big. It's the feeling of swinging a barn door. Once they get going, they want to keep going. It's not something I want when I'm learning. Below 5.5, there's not enough, on decent learning days (10-15 mph), to get the feel of power in the sail.
Then, my number 2 sail would be a 5.0, for the really decent learning days!
See you on the water. Don't let go till your face hits the water. Unless you hear Rich (you'll hear him if he's out there). Then dive and hope your gear survives the impact.