Hi all, anyone on here regularly sail light wind (<15 knot) side to side-off conditions with clean faces?
What is your preferred sail? 3 or 4 batterns? size etc.
Thanks (from someone who lives in a place with ****ty wind but ok waves).

I usually use a Goya quad 104 With either an Ezzy 5.8m or my maui sails ghost 6.1m, I am 90kg.

The maui sails is better in down the line weather.

Thanks Madge for sharing your setup.
My current gear seems in-line with you then (100L KT custom quad + 5m & 5.8 Banzai's).

Incidentally, I was clowning around on my sons little North IRig (inflatable) the other day..
I slogged out and surfed in some nice little waves in amongst the surfers.
Despite being terribly 'spongy' it was so much fun (mostly due to the light weight) which had me rethinking the sails I use for slog and ride.
I feel they need to go on a diet/overbuilt for these specialised conditions?
I know a lot of people don't 'get it' when it comes to slog and ride (just go surfing) but to me that's for the herds :-)

Severne s1 pro

Usual spot I sail is pretty rippy so you need an extra bit of power just to get through the white water and out back.

If I was to sail flat rock then a 5.8m would be the biggest I'd use.

carbon art 96L and 5.7 Severne blades pro's. Fun in 15 knots, 88/90 kg. I have a 102 jp ultimate on order to extend the wind range. We get good waves and regular side to side off, so fun sailing.
You know it's light when your at the surf deciding either to surf/sup or wavesail, on the back beaches I some times alternate between surf and wavesailing if the wind is a little on and off ??.
blade pro's make the difference.

Re Severne's. Thanks for the suggestions - keen to try one.
Are they dropping the 3 batten model (S3?) for new season?

Ezzy Taka4 5.3m and Quatro Super Mini 94l - I'm 78kg and it gets me out in as light as you can realistically sail in. I sail float and ride all the time on this set up and its great. The Taka has an amazing bottom end and really gets you going early without the need for a bigger sail. It has the get up and go of a 5.6-5.8 but the compact feel of a 5.3.... luv it!!!! And if the waves are a really good quality reef break, then I'll use the same sail but use my Quatro Pyramid 83l - because its much better in those conditions.

I also recommend a Severne Pro construction sail. Especially in those larger sizes, the light weight of those sails and the way they hold themselves really makes a huge difference.

does the pro version have a different shape to the normal eg a better bottom end in 5m3 compared to my normal 2017 Blade??

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northy1 said..
does the pro version have a different shape to the normal eg a better bottom end in 5m3 compared to my normal 2017 Blade??

I've a 5.0 Blade pro 2017 and you will find a different feeling compared to normal blade.

I had read a review comparing s1pro 4.8, blade pro 5.0 and blade 5.0...if I remember correctly...
early planing: blade pro 5.0>s1pro 4.8>blade 5.0
Top end control: blade 5.0>s1pro 4.8 >blade pro 5.0

They all have a different feel too.

I have an s1pro 5.6 that riggs on an rdm400 and I've stopped using my blade 6.2 that riggs on rdm 430 as there is little benefit to justify extra weight and gear. I also like the feel of s1pro better.

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bhc said..
I had read a review comparing s1pro 4.8, blade pro 5.0 and blade 5.0...if I remember correctly...
early planing: blade pro 5.0>s1pro 4.8>blade 5.0
Top end control: blade 5.0>s1pro 4.8 >blade pro 5.0

They all have a different feel too.

I have an s1pro 5.6 that riggs on an rdm400 and I've stopped using my blade 6.2 that riggs on rdm 430 as there is little benefit to justify extra weight and gear. I also like the feel of s1pro better.

Hi, I prefer the feel of S1 pro than Blade pro, but top end control of Blade pro 5.0 is something of incredible...unbeatable.

According to the specs, the pro versions look to be reasonably lighter than the regular models. Enough excuse to lean towards them if someones budget allows.

The ezzy takkas look like a nice sail too.

For a minority sport, it is fortunate that we still have a good choice of brands available to choose from.
I can't help think that the SUP industry has been 'propping' up the windsurfing industry in recent years re cash flow

Seems like many are using wave sails on the large side ( e.g. 5.7)
I get it - as we need to 'get out' through the break/rip in some locations, however going up sizes feels exponentially worse for me when on a wave.
In true slog and ride Im feeling a point of diminishing returns in sail size. As long as have enough power to get over the shore break and pickup a wave I rather be on smallest a sail as possible (5m??).
Maybe I'm delusional and would benefit from flying something bigger?
This is what ppl in Maui were suggesting to me anyway when a spent a season there a while ago.
I don't think this is balanced view though as the channel can help them get out at that particular location

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mahi said..
According to the specs, the pro versions look to be reasonably lighter than the regular models. Enough excuse to lean towards them if someones budget allows.

The ezzy takkas look like a nice sail too.

For a minority sport, it is fortunate that we still have a good choice of brands available to choose from.
I can't help think that the SUP industry has been 'propping' up the windsurfing industry in recent years re cash flow

Seems like many are using wave sails on the large side ( e.g. 5.7)
I get it - as we need to 'get out' through the break/rip in some locations, however going up sizes feels exponentially worse for me when on a wave.
In true slog and ride Im feeling a point of diminishing returns in sail size. As long as have enough power to get over the shore break and pickup a wave I rather be on smallest a sail as possible (5m??).
Maybe I'm delusional and would benefit from flying something bigger?
This is what ppl in Maui were suggesting to me anyway when a spent a season there a while ago.
I don't think this is balanced view though as the channel can help them get out at that particular location

IMO, you should not overlook the Hot KS3. Sail has amazing power & range & very light.

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mahi said..
I don't think this is balanced view though as the channel can help them get out at that particular location

When I lived in a location with a channel I'd happily slog out in mast and a half. Now I live in a sh1thole with only beach breaks. Over about chest high it is unsloggable at a similar wind strength. I need to move!

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mahi said..
According to the specs, the pro versions look to be reasonably lighter than the regular models. Enough excuse to lean towards them if someones budget allows.

The ezzy takkas look like a nice sail too.

For a minority sport, it is fortunate that we still have a good choice of brands available to choose from.
I can't help think that the SUP industry has been 'propping' up the windsurfing industry in recent years re cash flow

Seems like many are using wave sails on the large side ( e.g. 5.7)
I get it - as we need to 'get out' through the break/rip in some locations, however going up sizes feels exponentially worse for me when on a wave.
In true slog and ride Im feeling a point of diminishing returns in sail size. As long as have enough power to get over the shore break and pickup a wave I rather be on smallest a sail as possible (5m??).
Maybe I'm delusional and would benefit from flying something bigger?
This is what ppl in Maui were suggesting to me anyway when a spent a season there a while ago.
I don't think this is balanced view though as the channel can help them get out at that particular location

The people in maui can get away with smaller sails as the waves are faster and theres a guaranteed wind in the summer.
All depends where you are sailing and you skill level, I can turn well with a 5.8m sail, which is the biggest I'd go to really be comfortable, depends on the day itself.

Interesting topic.
There have been a lot of changes with our wave sails over the past 5 or 10 years and it's worth breaking down what the modern requirements are.
Firstly, if you sail in decent waves, then you get the push of the wave to create power - whereas if you live in a windy place you may have more than enough power from the sail. Where you sail cross to cross-off waves, you find the power in your sail increases significantly when heading in on a wave. This is because the 'apparent wind' increases as the wave accelerates you towards the beach. Whereas, in onshore conditions, the apparent wind in your sail can decrease when trying to go down the line on a wave face. So for cross-off conditions you really need a flat sail that depowers well when feathered or sheeted out. Whereas for onshore wave conditions you will usually prefer a more powerful sail, that has more constant 'grunt'.
Secondly, power and fullness: An onshore sail is therefore usually cut to be fuller or more bellied. Whereas a sideshore or cross-off sail is usually cut flatter.
This argument then gets complicated by batten numbers. A five batten sail will usually be more stable and more 'precise' in its pull, whereas a four batten sail is often a bit softer, with good grunt but a more variable point of drive.
Thirdly, rig weight: Severne sails have been mentioned here already. The pro versions of the Blade and S1 are lightweight sails because of the expensive materials used, but both are quite grunty, as they are cut with moderate fullness. So both are onshore wave sails. The standard Blade however is cut to be flatter and is more precise, and it depowers well and is therefore better as a cross-off sail.
The Standard S1s are a bit heavier than the Pro version S1s, but this year the cut of these four batten sails are very similar.
(I have examples of all of these sails) .
I sail in onshore conditions at my local break and like a powerful sail. My preferred bigger sizes are Pro Blades, whereas my smaller sizes are S1s. I had the S1 pros, but recently change to standard S1s for 2019.
Fourthly, soft sails: These new standard weight S1s can also be set with a half batten to be more of a 'soft' sail.
With a half batten, the sail can depower at the luff, as well as at the head. Soft sail like this can give you good grunt/power when heading out through surf, and they depower well when on the wave face. But they are not the most stable sails for say jumping conditions.
I prefer my S1 set with four full length battens, but preferences will depend on where you sail.

I hope I have helped to answer the original question, but I'd also recommend trying different brands and types of sail to see which you prefer.

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gorgesailor said..

IMO, you should not overlook the Hot KS3. Sail has amazing power & range & very light.

True - I've always had great product support from Jeff in the past - always responds to emails with friendly advise (e.g. mast compatibility, sail settings etc) - and that has to be a big selling point.
Actually, most of the Maui companies have been great to me, even someone as busy as KT has been most helpful.
In contrast, I have found that some other companies/distributors couldn't be bothered replying to an email.

Basher, some interesting content there! thanks for sharing your thoughts.

To original poster:

your question begs to personal preference . 5 4 3 batten wave sails.
Not all 3 nor 4 nor 5 batten sails compared to each other are created equal.
they will have similarities, but differ enough , that a 3 batten Ezzy will have different character than a 3 batten Hot Sails Maui.

i would look no further than 4 batten ones, or 3. 5 only if the size is 6.0 +.

i mentioned 2sails, Severne , Naish, 2more.

Hey mahi, I 've been using Sailworks Revos and Huckers for the past few years. From flat water to mast high waves, in all conditions I cannot fault them. Check out the reviews I did on the two sails and if you want more info on them contact Chris Potocnik from Windsurf Systems on 0412257922.

Sailworks Revo:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/Sailworks-Revo-5-7?page=1#7

Sailworks Hucker:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/Sailworks-Hucker-Review?page=1#6

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Kai2000 said..
Hey mahi, I 've been using Sailworks Revos and Huckers for the past few years. From flat water to mast high waves, in all conditions I cannot fault them. Check out the reviews I did on the two sails and if you want more info on them contact Chris Potocnik from Windsurf Systems on 0412257922.

Sailworks Revo:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/Sailworks-Revo-5-7?page=1#7

Sailworks Hucker:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/Sailworks-Hucker-Review?page=1#6

I would not consider the Sailworks Hucker a wave sail. It defies description to me, maybe a power hybrid.
i liked the Revos I had, did not the Hucker, which I felt and still do was full,of hype and didn't deliver.
Sailworks is located in Hood River, the Hucker was made for Dale Cook, famous for huge aerials. I've sailed many times and seen him, I stop well short of saying I sail with him.

I live on the Mid north coats of NSW, best sail hands down for most sea breezes is the Severne S-1 Pro 5.6, plenty of power and feels super light in your hands when your on a wave, I use a Severne Nuevo 101 most of the time, sailed heaps this summer because if that set up.