Another newbie question.

So much gear to get one's head around


What are the best size sails to have in your arsenal for freesailing with the intention of eventually getting into wavesailing.

If someone could post say 3 recommended sizes with the recommended breeze range for each for say a beginner to intermediate windsurfer.

I guess its also important to match them with mast sizes...the kit I purchased had a 460 sdm which seems a bit big for most of what I am doing at the moment so got a 430 sdm cheap...someone in the forum mentioned for wavesailing a 400 RDM is the go for most wavesailing..will save up for a quality mast...tho not important for the time being for me atm.

I currently only have the following


4.8 Aerotech...this seems to be the one I will use the most. with the 430 it leaves a little poking out the top but seems to rig well.

7.7 North...this came with the kit and understand its probably a bit too big for me at the moment..so its going to come out in a few months or more when I can do it justice...havnt tried it yet but looks damn nice rigged (tho those cams worry me a little based on what I have read).

lloydy,
for learning to intermediate 4.5 to 5.4 wave or crossover sail. this will give you a boom length about 165-180.

wave sails can rig a 400 mast for sails up to 5.4, that allows you to have 1 mast for 2 or 3 sails. slalom/race sails are taller with longer booms generally speaking.

Botany is probably the best all-round learning area for most wind directions and easy for you on the south side. At the moment we have been getting a reasonable wind pattern with NE and S. Look out for the demo days!

5.4 I use the most in Sydney - waves and flatwater. Typically only the southerlies get over 25 knots (unless you sail in NE in the Illawarra area). Other major factors for water time are your board and your size. 90+ litre board should get you on planing in 15 knots with a 5.0 - 5.4 unless you're a big unit?

Thanks...yep..forgot about board and weight ...currently 160L JP Funster...and 90kg tho aiming (as we all are) to lose 10kgs over the next few months (too much time recently deskbound).

Re the board...one of the forum guys said once I get proficient and can move to a smaller board....you can get away with approx the same volume as your weight? .e.g 90kg=90L board....any thoughts?

As touched on by Tomp, a 5.5 or so wave freeride sail will get plenty of use- both in the suds and on flatwater, and will probably be your most used sail.

As for sails and mast. Whilst I have a mess of different sized mast (which needs thinning out), I mainly use my 4.3 RDM Ezzy as this can rig my 5.2 and 5.7 wave sails, and also my 6.6 cammed GP2 (Hot Sail Maui) for going fast on flatwater. So 3 sails, one mast, one boom pretty well covers all my sailing- flatwater and waves. Oh, and two boards- one for waves and one slalom board (which is work in progress) for flatwater. Keep it simple if ya can- though that can be a tough ask.

PS- Just get out as much as you can. If it's 8 knots up hit the lake and practice, practice and practice. Light wind stuff tunes ya muscles and is great for ballance, and will certainly help you get you ready for the windy days

Have fun.

Select to expand quote

PhilSWR said...

As for sails and mast. Whilst I have a mess of different sized mast (which needs thinning out),

I was wondering something simillar to this thanks for asking beatlloydy.

I am eyeing off a 5.5 at the moment. but currently use a 3.5-4.5mt sail.

Am really needing a new mast, currently using an old 1 piece mast but really after a cheap 2 piece fibreglass, but cant be a slim mast, so it will be a hard find for sure.

Select to expand quote

beatlloydy said...
Thanks...yep..forgot about board and weight ...currently 160L JP Funster...and 90kg tho aiming (as we all are) to lose 10kgs over the next few months (too much time recently deskbound).

Re the board...one of the forum guys said once I get proficient and can move to a smaller board....you can get away with approx the same volume as your weight? .e.g 90kg=90L board....any thoughts?

If you get plenty of TOW + consistent 18kt + winds..

Select to expand quote

PhilSWR said...
As touched on by Tomp, a 5.5 or so wave freeride sail will get plenty of use- both in the suds and on flatwater, and will probably be your most used sail.

As for sails and mast. Whilst I have a mess of different sized mast (which needs thinning out), I mainly use my 4.3 RDM Ezzy as this can rig my 5.2 and 5.7 wave sails, and also my 6.6 cammed GP2 (Hot Sail Maui) for going fast on flatwater. So 3 sails, one mast, one boom pretty well covers all my sailing- flatwater and waves. Oh, and two boards- one for waves and one slalom board (which is work in progress) for flatwater. Keep it simple if ya can- though that can be a tough ask.

PS- Just get out as much as you can. If it's 8 knots up hit the lake and practice, practice and practice. Light wind stuff tunes ya muscles and is great for ballance, and will certainly help you get you ready for the windy days

Have fun.

Lightwind days on a big floaty board are great to allow you to practise gybing basics..rig flip + footwork without the hassle of flying into it at 20kts +..like you will learn way down the track. Dry land practise + big board in lightwinds is great preparation.You can't practise the fast entry but at least there will be less to worry about when you do get to that standard. ps - learn the right way from the start.Its harder to break bad habits..

Thanks guys,

Yep..agree on learning the right way from the start...1 lesson last week, another today (hopefully if they call it on)...and then Monday hopefully have 3 hours with a visiting tourist who instructs Windsurfing back home in Belgium..just waiting to tee it all up.

Thinking of going down to Lake Illawarra on Sat to tyre kick the demos but take my own rig out for a sail. (wouldnt trust myself on their gear yet)

Select to expand quote

beatlloydy said...
Thanks...yep..forgot about board and weight ...currently 160L JP Funster...and 90kg tho aiming (as we all are) to lose 10kgs over the next few months (too much time recently deskbound).

Re the board...one of the forum guys said once I get proficient and can move to a smaller board....you can get away with approx the same volume as your weight? .e.g 90kg=90L board....any thoughts?

I'm your weight and only in my 2nd season. My first board was the 160L Funster and i went down to 110L Naish Koncept. If had my time over again i would probably go for a 120L and then a 92L FSW which is what i have now. though the 110L is pretty versatile in anything up to 22knts with a good ail range 5m - 7.5m.

there's not really any shops in the shire. when you have some time go to wind surf n snow at collaroy. any of the staff will be happy to advise you and recommend equipment and they have stacks of 2nd hand gear. go in the morning on a non-windy day if you can.

weight=board size is an OK comparison. These days you can up the volume for a wave board because of the multi fins (amongst other reasons). some of the bigger guys are using up to 100lt for quads. Also the sails have a bigger wind range, you won't see much bigger than a 5.7 in the waves but some loonies will be on a 7.0+ in 25 knots at Botany and loving it!

best advice for Sydney when you are more competent is a 100-120lt for flat and a 90-100lt wave for your size. I'm about 83kg and use my 90lt on flatwater & in marginal 15-18 knots in the surf - we get that a lot!