Hi there I'm 15 years old and I've only been windsurfing since the summer so you could imagine that I have quite a few questions. I was wondering if the investment in formula is worth while for a bay like mine and a sailor like me. I also only just started planing through my jibes a few weeks ago so would formula be too much for me to handle? It usually blows 17kt or so during spring and summer but during the fall and winter it is quite light (8-12 or so) with the occasional 30kt front comes through. It is also quite choppy most of the time here. I already have a 76 wide slalom board and an 8.5 and a 9.5 which is a bit too big for the board that I use on the light days which are sadly, now becoming the windy days. Would formula work well in the conditions that my slalom board doesn't ie. 6-11 kts? Or should I just get a bigger fin and use my 9.5 on my 76? I already have a 265cm boom and a 520 mast would those fit on a sail that works in the single digit wind speeds? My weight is 65 kilos. Anything is helpful thank you!

At your weight the 9.5 and even the 8.5 sails would suit the formula and in light winds it would be much more enjoyable. You should be able to get an oldish board at a good price. Don't buy bigger sails. You will get the skills quickly just by practicing, if you could learn planing jibes in 1 season you are going to be world champion soon...

Your sails on a Formula board will increase your time on the water ten fold.

You will also learn quickly how to sail up and down wind, so you will be able to sail anywhere you want.

There is a bunch of young kids over here in NSW sailing their BIC rigs on Formula boards and they work perfectly.

Enjoy...

The more water time you can have the better if you are willing to gear up.

You say it gets very choppy ,there is another option,of getting a large freeride board .eg...125 or 135 litre Tabou rocket .
they eat up chop and plane very quick .

I say let the collection begin.

Thanks for the input everyone! A few more questions, what size sail would someone 65 kilos need to get planing on a formula board in 7kts with a little chop? Also, would a foil be a good investment as a light wind solution for someone of my skill level? From what I've heard they are quite good in light winds but they look really difficult to use.

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Asher147 said..
Thanks for the input everyone! A few more questions, what size sail would someone 65 kilos need to get planing on a formula board in 7kts with a little chop? Also, would a foil be a good investment as a light wind solution for someone of my skill level? From what I've heard they are quite good in light winds but they look really difficult to use.

Should imagine at 65kg you should get away with a 8.5
Also you should pick up and old formula board for $2-300
I'm 82kg, and have a 2002 Starboard 186 formula board, 65cm fin (70cm was too much drag for the smaller sail)
I get planning in 8kn and will stay on the plane in about 6kn lulls using either a 9m Retro or a 9.5 Cheetah (camless)
Use an adjustable outhaul and use any chop or swell to pump down the face, once planning lift the windward rail and ride the fin.
BTW this rig is magic under 10kn but I'm well overpowered in 12kn+