Hi everyone, just signed up but I am a long time reader, amazing community!

I always wonder about the sail size limit that the brand claims when offering a board, for instance, take a look at these boards:

- Quatro Cube 93 224 L 59.5 W Up to 5.7
- Fanatic Grip 93 226 L 59.5 W Up to 6.2
- Fanatic Mamba 94. 220 L 59 W Up to 6.5

Quatro Cube numbers sits in the middle but the board supports smaller sizes.

Is this strictly related to the shape of the board or it could be just because of stock fins?
What is the trick to make a short 90ish board work fine with a 6.x sail?

Welcome to posting on "the breeze", it's all down hill for you from here!
Best way to carry a slightly larger sail I believe would be to have a more upright centre fin, more free ride shape, and also get it as a slightly bigger fin. Matching extra drive from the sail with drive in the board.

Because they are just guide numbers, it's not an exact science, different rider, different conditions, different sails rigged differently it's easy to see how one brand could have 1m2 difference to another brand in the guidelines...
Edit - and of course different fins

Great tail width will mean more leverage against the fin. Check those specs.

There is no sharp limit for the upper sails size, it is more up to personal preference and the intended use and style of sailing. With a single fin board and free-ride or "bump and jump" sailing you can use a larger sail. For wave riding in a multifin board there is no real advantage of using a larger sail, the best wave riding is instead found in a float and ride mode on a smaller sail.

There is a point where sheeting in a big sail with a narrow board starts feeling goofy, or small sail on bigger board the same. I've gone up to 8.0 on my 115 dyno with big fin and outboard straps but it wasn't that great. Much better with an appropriate sized sail

What SurferKris said. Personally I have the Quatro Cube and I agree 100% with Quatro's recommended sail size. I don't like bigger than a 5.5 on that size. For the Cube 106 a 6.0 is as big as feels fun to me.

Doesn't mean you can't put a 6.5 on a 94 L wave board, just that I wouldn't enjoy it.

An example of 2 boards with almost same sail ratings
I have a Mamba 104 (219 / 60.5) and it struggles with a 5.7 blade pro - drives the lack of nose in the water - no matter where you place the MB and fins - fine with a 5.3 Blade and 20+ knts - rated to a 6.4 but can't imagine it feeling very comfortable.
I have a Fanatic free wave 105 (231 / 63) which works well with the 5.7 and 6.2 blade - plan was to replace it with the Mamba for summer wave sailing - woops buyer error - be careful when you read brand hype !!!!.

Certainly seems the board length and width + rocker make way more difference regarding sail size than the quoted volume.

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Manuel7 said..
Great tail width will mean more leverage against the fin. Check those specs.

Good advice, Quatro published, Fanatic seems not!

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SurferKris said..
There is no sharp limit for the upper sails size, it is more up to personal preference and the intended use and style of sailing. With a single fin board and free-ride or "bump and jump" sailing you can use a larger sail. For wave riding in a multifin board there is no real advantage of using a larger sail, the best wave riding is instead found in a float and ride mode on a smaller sail.

Yeah that's right, I think it is the dream of one board many sails when you travel. Do you think by increasing considerable a center fins of a Wave Quad board could make it work to "freeride"?

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philn said..
What SurferKris said. Personally I have the Quatro Cube and I agree 100% with Quatro's recommended sail size. I don't like bigger than a 5.5 on that size. For the Cube 106 a 6.0 is as big as feels fun to me.

Doesn't mean you can't put a 6.5 on a 94 L wave board, just that I wouldn't enjoy it.

I think you are right, I have an older 93 and 5.7 feels the very edge, but would be amazing to make it work with something bigger even if it is not the best freeride experience but if the only condition you can hit.

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Sparky said..
Welcome to posting on "the breeze", it's all down hill for you from here!
Best way to carry a slightly larger sail I believe would be to have a more upright centre fin, more free ride shape, and also get it as a slightly bigger fin. Matching extra drive from the sail with drive in the board.

Thanks for the welcoming and for the advice! increase center fins is definitely something that I would like to try!

Playing with fin sizes extend the range of a board. Some are friendlier than others.
And some can get away using less fin than others too. Need to experiment to figure out.

Quick example Goya Freeride 105L 63cm won't take 36cm with 7.0. board complains about overload unless well powered. Takes a 23cm fin with no issues with 5.0 and 4.7.

Goya Freewave 77L 56cm takes a 19cm fin, 4.7/4.2 no issues. 23cm too stiff.

Goya Freewave 85L 59cm 23cm feels like barely enough even with just 4.7.