need some advise want to sail more often esp when marginal wind. I use a evo92 should I get a much larger sail, my sail is 5.6. Or get another board. I like to sail in the ocean. What type of board would be good doesnt have to be a wave board. I am an low intermediate sailer 47 years old.

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Jack Langedyk said...

need some advise want to sail more often esp when marginal wind. I use a evo92 should I get a much larger sail, my sail is 5.6. Or get another board. I like to sail in the ocean. What type of board would be good doesnt have to be a wave board. I am an low intermediate sailer 47 years old.

Depends what strength of wind, and conditions you are talking about? Planing above 12 knots or subplaning below 10 knots?

If you like ocean sailing and are a Fan of starboard, something like one of the Large Kombats 122 (it's 72cm wide "width" is probably one the most important factor in early planing, more so than sail size)with a 6.5ish to 7ish depending on your weight: http://www.star-board.com/2008/pages/products/v_kombat.php

thanks hardie I would like to sail in the ocean off Ocean grove Barwon Heads area or in port phillip bay. Probably less than 10knots. Is it possible to plane in less than 10knots.

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Jack Langedyk said...

thanks hardie I would like to sail in the ocean off Ocean grove Barwon Heads area or in port phillip bay. Probably less than 10knots. Is it possible to plane in less than 10knots.

Hard to plane in less than 10 knots without Formula gear, they're 100cm wide, a fin around 70cm, and large sails 8 to 12m. The Starboard Apollo, is supposed to be the earliest planing board, apparantly not that fast when underway, but will plane in about 8 knots

Formula sailing is pretty extreme though, it's like getting into a Formula 1 car, it's either on at full pace or it slogs. Maybe a hybrid type board may be better, or one of the SUP that can accommodate a sail, or the other extreme is the serenity, only needs 3 knots and you are away! Exocet has some good laong boards check them out.

Would a 155 GO with a large sail get up in light winds? I am toying with the idea of getting a big sail for those light days but would only do it if it would get me up on the plane.

Hey Jack,

I thinkl Hardies on the right track with a Stand up Paddleboard (SUP) that has a mast base. One of those out at RAAFS with a sail would be great fun. You can then always just take the sail off and go for a paddle. Best of both worlds

Brett (red)

Never had a modern fat board before and just bought a 2nd hand 122 litre isonic, 75cn wide. Its amazing how is stays on the plane through lulls. Once its gets up its amazing what the apparent wind does as it feels the wind has picked up but when you stop you see there is only like 12 knots. Still have to get a bigger sail as only running a 6.6. 69kg weight helps

I've only sailed a SUP once, but it was waaaaay slower than an old-style longboard. This ties in with everything the Hot Sails Maui longboard wavesailing guys say - they say that a wavesailing longboard just doesn't plane like a normal windsurfer (long or short) does.

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OceanBlue64 said...

Would a 155 GO with a large sail get up in light winds? I am toying with the idea of getting a big sail for those light days but would only do it if it would get me up on the plane.

i used to sail my 155 go in 8to10 knots with a 9mtr sail personally i think that is the right wind range for that board unless you can find flat water cheers bazz
ps are you in the outer foot straps

i can't really comment on 120lt wave boards yet. will have one soon, just need to get the graphics cut.

formula boards in light wind on the ocean is as good as it gets. some of the best sessions i have had on my formula kit were in the ocean. 8-15knots is a blast. especially in 1-2m swell. it's like sailing on a roller coaster. over 15 knots and it's just scary and not so much fun.

if you are more into lightwind surfing in the wave section then something like a kona would be the go.

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monster said...

ps are you in the outer foot straps

I am in the intermediate ones. With only a 5.8 sail I find that unless the wind is really strong the rail tends to dig in so I havent had the oportunity to to move the straps to the outmost position. I cant wait for it to blow over 20 knots

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OceanBlue64 said...

monster said...

ps are you in the outer foot straps

I am in the intermediate ones. With only a 5.8 sail I find that unless the wind is really strong the rail tends to dig in so I havent had the oportunity to to move the straps to the outmost position. I cant wait for it to blow over 20 knots

yes you need more sails now, and you must be in the outer straps to take full advantage that big fin once you get in them your go will be a different beast