Heres my dilemma,
ive got a 5.8 ka kult, 5.0 ka kaos a 4.5 gaastra poison and a 4.2 ka kaos.
given that i spend 95% of my time on a 5.8, i really want to get rid of either the 4.5 or the 4.2, but i cant make up my mind on which sail to keep.
the mast ive got is a 430 powerex skinny and in my uneducated opinion they both rig fine on it.
Im about 88kg.
dont say try both because ill be waiting another year to get enough breeze to use them.
so is 5.0 --> 4.2 too big a jump?

cheers

If i had to i would get rid of the 4.5.You can always downhaul and flaten the crap outa the 5.0 and if its still too windy then you will be fine on the 4.2

Not that this will help you enormously but I currently sail a 5.0 and a 4.2m and I always would prefer something else. The 5.0 is either too small and I am underpowered or its too big. This may be different with a more modern sail (mine is a 96 or 97 sailworks revo) and I dont think its got a big wind range.

More modern sails you can depower easier which means that you could sail for longer until you have to change down. So I am also thinking about a modern 5.0 which has a wider wind range or the othe roption is to get a 5.3, 4.7 and keep the 4.2.

But it also depends on the board and where you sail.

Like I said dosent really help you much

Ideally, as sail sizes in your quiver get smaller, the gap between each sail size should get smaller also... That said, you are rigging your 4.2 (and 4.5 for that matter) on a 430, which may make it feel more rigid and potentially reduce its upper end wind range anyway (I am guessing your 4.2 is recommended to rig on 370 and your 4.5 to rig on either 370 or 400?).

Using this logic, I'd keep the 4.5, but for wind range, I don't think it'd make much difference and I'd keep the KA. It'd be nice to have a quiver of similar "feeling" sails also...

Then there is the question of mast bend character, I think Gaastra are stiff top (damn I forget). Read the article on mast stiffness nebs posted a few days ago.

Then there is the re-sale question... Which has better re-sale More $$ to spend on more gear

yeah thanks fellas
i was leaning towards getting rid of the 4.5.
cheers

I am about to update my wave sails to 5.7, 5.0 and maybe 4.2 (but not sure I will ever need it)

I ride Gaastra so my heart says keep that and change the rest to Gaastra. But reality you will probably be best to move the 4.5 on and keep the KA quiver. As other have said, similar feel will help you move between sails.

I would look at using the $$$ you get for the 4.5 to put into a mast that is correctly suited for the small sails, it will give them a much better wind range and make the decision a lot easier.

Get rid of the 4.2 and buy a 400 mast to fit your 4.5, your 4.5 will rig better and feel smaller beacause it rigged on the correct mast. A 430 rigging a 4.2 doesn't work the sail wouldnt feel right so you might as well get rid of it or get the correct mast for it. Good luck, and remember you will always want what you dont have!!

I had a similar problem with a 6.2 on a 460 mast. It just doesn't work right if you have the wrong sail/mast set-up. I put the sail on a 430 mast and the feel and control were totally different. I don't wave sail and can't advise on which sail to keep but whatever you decide, get the right mast.

aus14 , It think the gap from 5.0 Kaos to 4.2 Kaos is Ok for a guy of your size . The sails can handle quite a large range if you play with downhaul and outhaul . Ideally the 4.2 should be on a shorter , softer mast but if you are happy with it on a 430 then fine . It is nice having only one mast .
I have a 5.3 Koyote , a 4.7 Kaos and a 4.2 kaos and have used the 4.7 once in 2 seasons . I go 5.3 -4.2
In Melbourne when it,s windy it is usually 20-25 knot strong sebreeze or east-sth easterly, and a 5.0 is fine for your size , or it,s absolutely cranking 30 knots plus front and 4.2 is the ticket . I find in the winter northerlies even ,though they can be pretty strong , because they are up and down in pressure I generally rig a bit bigger anyway .
My 2 bobs worth . Regards Martin