I will be in Adelaide over the Christmas period and I have decided to take some windsurfing gear. I know slalom boards are not that common down your way however it’s what you have to sail if you live in a predominantly light wind precinct like Sydney.

My dilemma is I can only fit one sail. I have an 80 cm (112lt) Mistral Slalom and have the choice between a 6.5M and a 7.5M Severne Turbo. The sails are new to me however I would expect the 7.5 would work from 15 to 22 knots and the 6.5 in around 18 to 25. This is warm air unlike the temperature of your southerlies.

As you can see there are plenty of variables when deciding which sail to take. Any comments or recommendations would be welcome.

If you sail boggy where most sailor around Adelaide with slalom boards go your 7.5 would give you the most time on the water. If you plan to sail the beaches semaphore or seacliff your best bet is your 6.5. A lots depends if the sea breeze kicks in or not.

What is your weight and where are you planning to sail?
Will you have transport?
Are you flexible with your time?
If you have the time & transport to drive up to Semaphore everyday between 3 to 7pm most days, you'll be able to sail with about 10 other windsurfers and I would take the 6.5m, otherwise if your time is limited and/or if you want to try some other spots, then I would take the 7.5m.
If you have plenty of time, transport and keen to see new places, then I would try Semaphore, Glenelg, Seacliff, Boggy Lake and Goolwa depending on MetEye forecasts.

Excellent feedback. Thanks. I will be based in Brighton and have a preference for the minimum amount of driving. I weigh 80Kg so I think I will pack the 6.5M. Hopefully I will do a few runs to the Bay. Just like Mike Sagan back in the day.1988...

Brighton and 80kgs ... I would bring the 7.5m.
If a strong seabreeze is forecast you can always head out earlier at about 1pm to 3pm. At Brighton, the seabreeze will peak at 3pm to 5.30pm.

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Sunnyboy said..

You're in luck this year. The ocean has been very warm, and winds have been a lot weaker than usual. I've mostly been on my 109L slalom board at Semaphore this season rather than on a 69L or 85L wave boards I am normally use, so that is saying something. Most seasons, packing the big gear doesn't even get contemplated. I agree with DS.

Hi Sunnyboy,

In case you dont' know Brighton, Seacliff and particularly Kingston Park are famous for the seabreeze swinging offshore in an instant. Not a problem if you can slog back in, but a bit messy if you are doing the run to Glenelg and back.

My guide is to look at the Noarlunga and Sellicks charts on this site. If they are SE and Brighton is SW, expect the wind to swing at some point in the day. The swing from SW to SE moves up the metro coast, and usually takes about an hour to reach Brighton from Noarlunga. If the whole coast is SW, you can sail till sunset (almost).

It takes about 1 hour to sail from Brighton to Glenelg and back in a seabreeze. 15 min there, the rest getting back depending on how well your gear can track upwind again. Give me a PM here is you are looking for a companion and I will join you if I'm around.

Have a good holiday and maybe see you on the water!

Cheers, Dr Duck