Sails
Moderator: MK
Sails
I am a beginner sailer with a free formula 167 aqnd a 6.5 sail. I am using a harness now and getting into the footstraps also. Planning is becoming more frequent now, and my question is whats the difference in the different types of sails. I want a lighter wind sail, maybe a 8.5 - 9m. I have noticed that the used race and slalom sails are a lot cheaper. Would they be ok for rec use . Any info would be of great help. Thanks Kevin
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steveb
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 3:31 pm
- Location: sblain@frontiernet.net
Kevin, it's kind of hard to recommend sails because to a large degree it's a matter of taste.
It sounds as though you are getting close to starting to work on your water start, it will be easier if you get a slalom cam/no cam sail with a narrow luff sleeve. The narrow luff sleeve limits the amount of water that can work it's way up along side the mast, less water =less weight which makes it easier to get the sail out of the water for water starting or up hauling.
Race sails have a larger luff sleeve which makes them more aerodynamic improving performance, but it also acts as a very nice bucket,making the sail heavy in the water.
I'd suggest going with a no cam or a cam sail with no more than 3 cams, most the manufacturers have a couple of sails in their line up which fall into this category.
My personal favourite is the loft sails, they make an 8.4, they are relatively inexpensive, wear well, they are light in the water and they have a wide range of performance, but as I said thats my taste, there are many sails which wouls suit your needs and if you are looking for used I'm sure someone has an 8 something for sale.
It sounds as though you are getting close to starting to work on your water start, it will be easier if you get a slalom cam/no cam sail with a narrow luff sleeve. The narrow luff sleeve limits the amount of water that can work it's way up along side the mast, less water =less weight which makes it easier to get the sail out of the water for water starting or up hauling.
Race sails have a larger luff sleeve which makes them more aerodynamic improving performance, but it also acts as a very nice bucket,making the sail heavy in the water.
I'd suggest going with a no cam or a cam sail with no more than 3 cams, most the manufacturers have a couple of sails in their line up which fall into this category.
My personal favourite is the loft sails, they make an 8.4, they are relatively inexpensive, wear well, they are light in the water and they have a wide range of performance, but as I said thats my taste, there are many sails which wouls suit your needs and if you are looking for used I'm sure someone has an 8 something for sale.
Hey Kevin,
I was using a GO 150 with a 7.5 Sailworks Retro (no cam sail) I thought that was a very good match. I tried using my 6.2 wave sail on it a few times but it seemed to small. I never felt comfortable on it.
Your FF is wider than the GO 150 (85cm vs 90cm) Thay are basically the same shape except the GO series has a EVA deck wich adds to it's volume. I would suspect the sweet spot for the stock fined FF167 would be from 7.5 to 9.5.
I don't race but I've used a few big cammed sails. They are very stable but I think you'd have more fun with a non-cam like the Reto. Easier to rig and tune. Lighter feel when manuvering.
I sold my last 9.5 to Mike G who lives up by SteveB. Maybe he's getting ready to flip that one?
Rig Big!
I was using a GO 150 with a 7.5 Sailworks Retro (no cam sail) I thought that was a very good match. I tried using my 6.2 wave sail on it a few times but it seemed to small. I never felt comfortable on it.
Your FF is wider than the GO 150 (85cm vs 90cm) Thay are basically the same shape except the GO series has a EVA deck wich adds to it's volume. I would suspect the sweet spot for the stock fined FF167 would be from 7.5 to 9.5.
I don't race but I've used a few big cammed sails. They are very stable but I think you'd have more fun with a non-cam like the Reto. Easier to rig and tune. Lighter feel when manuvering.
I sold my last 9.5 to Mike G who lives up by SteveB. Maybe he's getting ready to flip that one?
Rig Big!