I have been windsurfing for over 40 years and new to wind foiling. I recently purchased a new RRD Firemove 120 liter with Slingshot foil. I have had some early flights on a borrowed 6.5 Ezzy Legacy, but seemed to be over-powered in 15 knots. Looking at sail options, I discovered my old 1990's Rushwind 5.7 slalom sail that is still in good condition. I need to find a suitable mast to go with. Question: do you think this could be a good windfoil sail as I continue to learn or am I wasting my time and should purchase new rig, like Ezzy Cross?

It'll work fine. I have a 1991 Sailworks Race 5.1 - 3-cam, tight-leech, which works well over a foil. I was talking with Bruce Peterson and he said that 1991 design was the basis for the foil-oriented Flyer. Mid-aspect, smooth rotation, power up top, limited twist, moderately full foot, etc. The Rushwind is a lot like the Sailworks of the same vintage. The Sailworks liked a slightly softer top (Fiberspar purple bend) and I think the Rushwind did too, so any older NP or North SDM might work ok.

Probably best off sticking with the legacy or updating to the cross, can't see how you would realize any improvement with an old rushwind

The overpowered feeling is due to the limited speed range of the foil, once it tops out, you begin to feel overpowered because the board will not accelerate when gusts hit. In general you would Try rigging with more downhaul to help the sail release power, but the legacy can easily be overdownhauled with the draft going too far back; so specific to that sail you should be adding outhaul when you feel overpowered.

6.5 seems big for a freeride foil, Which slingshot foil are you using?

It will work fine , especially while learning and if you put your knee through it, at least it wasn't a new foiling sail

I am not a little guy and learn with about 5m wavesail in 15kn
6.5 is way too much

You don't need power when up on foil so u need to try to get out of the freeride slalom etc gear. You also want durable. And ease of uphauling. Old xply wave sails are perfect

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Mark _australia said..
I am not a little guy and learn with about 5m wavesail in 15kn
6.5 is way too much

You don't need power when up on foil so u need to try to get out of the freeride slalom etc gear. You also want durable. And ease of uphauling. Old xply wave sails are perfect

In addition, the legacy being no-cam, the draft will be slightly less stable than an equivalent cammed sail. This difference is imperceptible on a fin but when you are starting out on a foil, makes it much easier to fly level. I started foiling on a Cheetah 7.0 and switching to a 2 cam freeride helped immensely at that stage. 6.0 and below, cams matter much less as boom lengths decrease.
In 15 kts, a lot of us would be on 1 to 2 meters less sail (more experience and nailing jibes allows smaller sails) fir freeride. At the other end, racers would be comfortable on an 8 or 9 meter sail in the same conditions but that's with more experience and a lot more structure in the sail.
Which wing do you have on your foil?
fwiw, one of the AFS team riders used to rip on vintage race sails with speeds over 30 kts for the reasons Awalkspoiled mentioned

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Awalkspoiled said..
It'll work fine. I have a 1991 Sailworks Race 5.1 - 3-cam, tight-leech, which works well over a foil. I was talking with Bruce Peterson and he said that 1991 design was the basis for the foil-oriented Flyer. Mid-aspect, smooth rotation, power up top, limited twist, moderately full foot, etc. The Rushwind is a lot like the Sailworks of the same vintage. The Sailworks liked a slightly softer top (Fiberspar purple bend) and I think the Rushwind did too, so any older NP or North SDM might work ok.

Select to expand quote

jdfoils said..
Probably best off sticking with the legacy or updating to the cross, can't see how you would realize any improvement with an old rushwind

The overpowered feeling is due to the limited speed range of the foil, once it tops out, you begin to feel overpowered because the board will not accelerate when gusts hit. In general you would Try rigging with more downhaul to help the sail release power, but the legacy can easily be overdownhauled with the draft going too far back; so specific to that sail you should be adding outhaul when you feel overpowered.

6.5 seems big for a freeride foil, Which slingshot foil are you using?

Using Slingshot 76 1534 cu CM wing and 42 rear wing @ 313 cu CM with 92 Slingshot Hover Glide mast. Yes, I think that day, 6.5 was too much. After several more respectable sessions with the 6.5 in 12-15 kts, I was doing pretty well. Did not have a chance to try my old Rushwind since I need to piece together a rig. It seems control control of the rig is critical and the ability to first of all rig properly and then to be able to make quick adjustments in sail to accommodate gusts is key. In that regard, it seems that a light responsive rig is key. would you agree? I am trying to avoid purchasing another rig if at all possible. However, if a new rig is key to success, then I

I am not completely sold on the wind foiling, but it seems like something I really want to tackle. I see the videos on u-tube and it seems really amazing. I recall when I first learned to windsurf in the 1980's it took me quite a long time to get the feel. now, it is like riding a bike. I still really love to get out on big board with 8.5. I bought a Ezzy Cheeta a few years ago with new boom and mast with Exocet WindSUP board. That rig has made me appreciate the value of a great rig. I can sail is such wide ranging conditions. It makes me think that a nice rig will really help with the foil learning curve.

Thanks for any other comments and suggestions.

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Paducah said..

Mark _australia said..
I am not a little guy and learn with about 5m wavesail in 15kn
6.5 is way too much

You don't need power when up on foil so u need to try to get out of the freeride slalom etc gear. You also want durable. And ease of uphauling. Old xply wave sails are perfect

In addition, the legacy being no-cam, the draft will be slightly less stable than an equivalent cammed sail. This difference is imperceptible on a fin but when you are starting out on a foil, makes it much easier to fly level. I started foiling on a Cheetah 7.0 and switching to a 2 cam freeride helped immensely at that stage. 6.0 and below, cams matter much less as boom lengths decrease.
In 15 kts, a lot of us would be on 1 to 2 meters less sail (more experience and nailing jibes allows smaller sails) fir freeride. At the other end, racers would be comfortable on an 8 or 9 meter sail in the same conditions but that's with more experience and a lot more structure in the sail.
Which wing do you have on your foil?
fwiw, one of the AFS team riders used to rip on vintage race sails with speeds over 30 kts for the reasons Awalkspoiled mentioned

Using Slingshot 76 1534 cu CM wing and 42 rear wing @ 313 cu CM with 92 Slingshot Hover Glide mast.

Yes, I think that day, 6.5 was too much. After several more respectable sessions with the 6.5 in 12-15 kts, I was actually doing pretty well. Did not have a chance to try my old Rushwind since I need to piece together a rig. It seems control control of the rig is critical and the ability to first of all rig properly and then to be able to make quick adjustments in sail to accommodate gusts is key. In that regard, it seems that a light responsive rig is key. would you agree? I am trying to avoid purchasing another rig if at all possible. However, if a new rig is key to success, then I am willing to buy. I am not completely sold on the wind foiling, but it seems like something I really want to tackle. I see the videos on u-tube and it seems really amazing. I recall when I first learned to windsurf in the 1980's it took me quite a long time to get the feel. now, it is like riding a bike. I still really love to get out on big board with 8.5. I bought a Ezzy Cheeta a few years ago with new boom and mast with Exocet WindSUP board. That rig has made me appreciate the value of a great rig. I can sail is such wide ranging conditions. It makes me think that a nice rig will really help with the foil learning curve.

Thanks for any other comments and suggestions.

Select to expand quote

copperman said..

Awalkspoiled said..
It'll work fine. I have a 1991 Sailworks Race 5.1 - 3-cam, tight-leech, which works well over a foil. I was talking with Bruce Peterson and he said that 1991 design was the basis for the foil-oriented Flyer. Mid-aspect, smooth rotation, power up top, limited twist, moderately full foot, etc. The Rushwind is a lot like the Sailworks of the same vintage. The Sailworks liked a slightly softer top (Fiberspar purple bend) and I think the Rushwind did too, so any older NP or North SDM might work ok.

jdfoils said..
Probably best off sticking with the legacy or updating to the cross, can't see how you would realize any improvement with an old rushwind

The overpowered feeling is due to the limited speed range of the foil, once it tops out, you begin to feel overpowered because the board will not accelerate when gusts hit. In general you would Try rigging with more downhaul to help the sail release power, but the legacy can easily be overdownhauled with the draft going too far back; so specific to that sail you should be adding outhaul when you feel overpowered.

6.5 seems big for a freeride foil, Which slingshot foil are you using?

Using Slingshot 76 1534 cu CM wing and 42 rear wing @ 313 cu CM with 92 Slingshot Hover Glide mast. Yes, I think that day, 6.5 was too much. After several more respectable sessions with the 6.5 in 12-15 kts, I was doing pretty well. Did not have a chance to try my old Rushwind since I need to piece together a rig. It seems control control of the rig is critical and the ability to first of all rig properly and then to be able to make quick adjustments in sail to accommodate gusts is key. In that regard, it seems that a light responsive rig is key. would you agree? I am trying to avoid purchasing another rig if at all possible. However, if a new rig is key to success, then I

I am not completely sold on the wind foiling, but it seems like something I really want to tackle. I see the videos on u-tube and it seems really amazing. I recall when I first learned to windsurf in the 1980's it took me quite a long time to get the feel. now, it is like riding a bike. I still really love to get out on big board with 8.5. I bought a Ezzy Cheeta a few years ago with new boom and mast with Exocet WindSUP board. That rig has made me appreciate the value of a great rig. I can sail is such wide ranging conditions. It makes me think that a nice rig will really help with the foil learning curve.

Thanks for any other comments and suggestions.

Stick with it bro, its kickarse. There are plenty of good sails for foiling, but the trick is to find something that suits your style, skill level and foil. A lot of infinity 76 riders tended towards smaller wave and freestyle sails that would pump well. One of my mates love the cross for freeriding and all windsurf manufacturers need some love, so my vote would be to get a cross. perhaps two sizes that rig on the same mast.

Also agree with JD that the 5.7 rushwind may still feel too big