I want to buy myself a cheap used sail around 4.7. But I don't want to have to buy a new mast or boom. Due to being quite heavy and strong, the wind has to be over 40knots for me to be out of control on my 5.3m so would love a cheap smaller sail for those rare crazy days. I worked out that with my 160-210 boom and 430 mast I can just barely go down to a 4.7 if it has an adjustable head.

I know ezzy has them, can you name some other brands to look out for?

Thanks

In a 4.7m size, most of them.

Generally only wavesails have adjustable heads, and only once you get below about 5m. KA is around 5m, Gaastra is around 4.5m, Pryde is around 3.9m... very few slalom sails have them.

Loft sails are interesting - they recommend a specific size, then allow the next shorter and longer sizes. The only way for longer masts to work, is with an adjustable head.

A 5.3 in 40 Knots! That's hard core
I'm usually looking at a 4.2 or smaller when it's a solid 30 Knots.
You can tell when it's solid 30+ as there are no kites around!

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Leman said...

I know ezzy has them, can you name some other brands to look out for?

Why would you look at any other brand?

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nebbian said...

Leman said...

I know ezzy has them, can you name some other brands to look out for?

Why would you look at any other brand?

Lol I'm a fan of Ezzy but I don't want to buy new for a sail that I might only use 5 times in a year. So if I'm buying used I need to open my brand options up. I've often seen experienced windsurfers using pre-windspill sails in high winds (guessing 90's), it's clear they had the same idea as me, buy an old cheap small sail for those rare days. Too be honest it really just has to be functional.

Westozwind: yeah to be comfortable I would drop down from my 5.3 at about 35knots but I can survival sail up to 40 if I overdownhaul. Can hold down a lot of sail at 96kg. Although it's no fun. About 2 month ago when it was gusting over 50knots, when the waves were all washing under the boatsheds in Port Phillip I was pooing my wetsuit sailing that afternoon. Ended up trashing my mast and boom trying to get back in through the crashing waves.

Ezzy 4.7m recommends a 430 mast as an altertnate to 400. Boom is around 170. There is plenty of adjustment in the head, and the 430 rigs ok.

I also have a 4.2 KA Kaos which seems to have a stupid large amount spare strap at the head, I am tipping the bigger sizes will be the same.

I have used a 4.2 Kaos on a 430 and you can get by with it but it's obviously much better on a shorter mast. 4.7 Kaos or Kult is fine though on a 430.
Andrew at KA may have an older one , I know he still has a few 06-07-08 sails around. He is away for a couple of weeks but when he is back you should give him a yell.

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Leman said...

I want to buy myself a cheap used sail around 4.7. But I don't want to have to buy a new mast or boom. Thanks

the local shop gave me an adjustable header for my 08 NP Zone 4.7 (uses 400cm mast) so I could use my 430 powerex skinny in the sail and it works a treat. I've been putting adjustable headers in all sorts of sails I've had over the years with little noticeable impact. Personally I wouldn't get too concerned about it affecting performance

Excellent info guys, much appreciated. Yeah I realise it would alter the performance slightly due to different flex but I think I would be just glad to be able to get out in those crazy winds without ripping my arms off whenever I unhook, so anything is an improvement.

I understand where you are coming from... I recently picked up a *new* 2000 era 3.7m sail... best value ever!

Tushingham !!!!!