Hi,
I am planning to be in WA for Jan, based at Mandurah and traveling uo and down the coast from there, Say as far north as Coranation Beach and hopefully down to Esperance, I am planning to bring my own kit but pretty limited on baggae allowance probably a board and 2 sails. I would apprieciate advice as to most best sail sizes to maximise sailing 5.2 & 4.5 or 5.5& 4.7? I weigh 75kgs and will be using an RRD Twinfin 82. Also any advice on best wetsuit would great.
Thanks

Neither option really ;-)

Geraldton you may well need a 4.2 often.

Esperance you are likely to need a 5.7 often.

Sorry

sorry snooze...the seabreeze season has been and gone in wa...it lasted for a whole week this yr.


did anyone win the ...when is the first seabreeze comp? did it actually happen?

winge winge winge.

I did the same thing last year. Bought a 4.5 in preparation for the "nuking seabreezes" that were sure to come through.

I have used it twice

Most used sail has been my Ezzy 6.0... if I were you I'd get a 5.5 and 4.7, would be sweet

Thanks for the info. Sounds like I might need to think bigger! 5.8 + 5.0 + FSW 90? I was in WA about 15 years ago and seem to remember sailing alot of 5.8 days. I understand that there will be days when I will need bigger or smaller but as I am so restricted on baggage allowance will have to bring the stuff that is likely to give me the most days sailing.

Looked at the graphs on the site and most of the sailing days seemed to be 15-20 knots over the last month or so.

Does Mandurah get much wind and does it have any decent wave breaks?

Ive done two seasons their on 2 sails 5.4 and 4.7...76l board i was around 75kg then...I did end up buying a 4.2 but that was for gero..

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snooze said...

>>>>>>>>

Does Mandurah get much wind and does it have any decent wave breaks?

We are often 2-5kts lighter than Perth, I'm just under 70kg and my most used wave sail is my 5.3, but in a good year the 4.7 isn't far behind, who knows if this will be a good season or not.

Yes there's a quite nice small wave, but it doesn't work very often in January, you may not see it over ankle high.

You shouldn't need a wet suit, a blast shield or roaster will be fine, unless you're one of those that really feel the cold.

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decrepit said...
You shouldn't need a wet suit, a blast shield or roaster will be fine, unless you're one of those that really feel the cold.

Two nations divided by a common language! Blast shield or roaster? rashvest or shortie?

Yes that's it snooze. A 2/3 short arms and legs / springsuit will do. Some days just boardies.

A FSW would be ideal for perth and mandurah but not the best for the awesome waves at other places.

If I were you I'd bring 90FSW, 5.5 and 4.7
Then when you get here buy an old 80L down the line oriented wave board and a 4.2 for let's say $600 - $1000 all up and sell it when you go. Shops here will sell your gear on consignment and send the money to you back home

If you're 75 kg you shouldn't need anything bigger than your 82L board. I have an 85L and 77L board (I'm 82kg).

Jan is the windiest month around Perth (I have no idea about Esperance). Last Jan I had a day on a 3.5m at Lancelin and the year before in Jan I had 2 days overpowered on a 3.7 at Greenhead. I usually use my 4.2m a few times in Jan, probably more often than I use the 5.8m.

If you're going to Geraldton in Jan you will need small gear.

I would rather bring the right gear for those epic days at the good spots than be riding 5.8m on a 90L FSW on a marginal day at a choppy no wave spot around Perth (no swell in January).

Bring a shortie / spring suit unless you're from Tassie. If you're from QLD you may want something warmer down south ?

How heavy is a sail ? Surely bringing an extra sail isn't going to break the budget. [}:)][}:)]

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snooze said...


Two nations divided by a common language! Blast shield or roaster? rashvest or shortie?

Well I didn't mean either, but something in between, windwarrior makes the blastshield, it's about a 1mm vest. Think westsuits make the roaster, it's a sealed and metalised rashie, comes in short and long sleeves.
No sorry I have that wrong, westsuits make the radiator, same as the roaster, don't know who makes those.
Because they're sealed they stop the windchill factor, and keep the sun off. Good for high 20Cs and early 30Cs.
As Mark says, a springy may be necessary for down south thou.

Thanks,
Sounds like a Rashvest and shortie should cover it. As for the kit I guess its the usual dilemma between the the stuff you want to sail (Twinfin 82) and that which will give you the most time on the water (FSW90). I guess I'll look at forecast just before I leave and make a final decision then. Thanks again

If you're not going to use your new twin fin in WA during the windiest month, where else are you going to use it ? Also depends whether you're after quantity or quality of sailing.

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holgs said...

If you're not going to use your new twin fin in WA during the windiest month, where else are you going to use it ? Also depends whether you're after quantity or quality of sailing.

Good point I have only been able to sail the Twinfin in mushy onshore waves so far on south coast of UK so it would be good to use it in decent waves. Guess I can always beg/borrow surfboard for less windy days

Snooze, i spent almost 2 years in WA using only my 78lit, 5.0 and 4.4m sails. I am 82-85kg.

Good for Geraldton, Good for Gnaraloo, Good for Margaret river, and ok for Perth (i could also use a 5.3 somedays).

For sure, stick with your 82 lit, you may find it a bit big somedays too.
Just to make things clear, do you really have a 5.5, 5.2, 4.7, and 4,5 quiver?
I would be confused too!

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Rick23 said...


Just to make things clear, do you really have a 5.5, 5.2, 4.7, and 4,5 quiver?
I would be confused too!

No I have 6.5,5.8,5.2,4.7 & 4.2. But since I can only take two sails within the bagagge allowance I was thinking of buying 1 new sail to get a bit more of a gap. e.g.5.5 to go with the 4.7 or 5.2 and then buy a 4.5. Any excuse to get some new kit!

why dont you just roll 2 sails together and put in one bag? (and then take 2 bags= 4 sails) Im sure the airline wouldnt know the difference.

what ever you bring it will be wrong if the wind gods aren't in your favour.

I suggest bringing your fav board and sails that way if the conditions are right you will be on the kit your happiest with.

The 2 sails in one bag works a treat it adds more protection to your sails as well i have done this on a overseas trip

I'll throw in what gear i use just to confuse you more

I'm 70Kg my all round board is approx 65Lt's 52cm wide wave board
my sails range from 4.0 - 5.5 Ive just bought a new 4.7 and 5.3 Goya 3d wave sail
and I'm hoping they will be all i use this summer
Sure we get some strong days if your at Lano just hire a small sail for the day but for the most your be glad of the slightly bigger gear

What ever you bring im sure you will have an awesome time WA is the best place on earth (only my opinion)

Plan your trip for after the DLS trial has finished, we might get some wind then.

Curse you DLS

@ 75 kgs a 4.5 and 5.2 will get you most days. Flatten her out, or viseversa depending how windy it gets. You might want to get an old 4.0 as well, holgs is right, you dont want to be right for the crap days, but maxed cos its too windy!
If your going north(of Perth), bring 2 pairs of boardies, one for sailing, one for the pub.
If your going south bring a steamer, especally in esperance.

wa, best place on earth,,,, after Bristol????

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WINDY MILLER said...

wa, best place on earth,,,, after Bristol????

How could i forget good old Bristol.
The memory's of greasy chips and fat slags..........lovely[}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)]

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WINDY MILLER said...

sorry snooze...the seabreeze season has been and gone in wa...it lasted for a whole week this yr.


did anyone win the ...when is the first seabreeze comp? did it actually happen?

winge winge winge.

Hope i haven't missed another thread on here but...

...i'm heading across to WA mid december (have usually gone january in the past and last year sailed 4.2 most days up at Coronation). but i'm looking at the wind at the moment and crapping myself about the lack of it! We are having crazy weather across the country at the moment with heaps of troughs etc and a lot of rain across the centre - cant stay like this forever.

What is the local opinion on the state of the wind mid-coast for this time of the year and a bit of local advice about whether you reckon Gero is about to start getting some 20+knot wind soon?

it still aint happeing in perth, ...just the odd day here and there....the windbank is bursting[}:)]

gerro a bit better but not the ususal wind-a-thon...


Far North (sharkbay and onwards) looks like it has setttled into a pattern ,and being a bit more reliable,,,,, untill the first cyclone kicks in

Snooze - If I went again I would take my 5.4 and 4.7, if its a really windy day its still doable on a flattened 4.7 and you can always sail early and late when its a bit lighter. I would take your 82. If you decide to take your FSW90 good luck at Margs.

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King Shingly said...

If you decide to take your FSW90 good luck at Margs.

Yeah thats what I am doing, 82 Twinfin + 5.2 and 4.7 may get less days sailing but should have more fun on the days I do. Am trying to blag more luggage allowance from the airline to take more kit. If I can't do that I'm thinking about picking up a 5.8 and 4.2. in Perth. Haven't tried to sail the Twinfin with a 5.8 yet but Skyeboy says its no problem..............there again he is a much (much much) better sailor.

5.8, 5.2, 4.7, 4.2...

If I had sails that close together, I'd spend my whole time standing on the shore wondering what to rig.

Why not just bring your 5.5 and 4.5?

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DL said...

5.8, 5.2, 4.7, 4.2...

If I had sails that close together, I'd spend my whole time standing on the shore wondering what to rig.

Why not just bring your 5.5 and 4.5?

Thats not close, that is sensible, close would be 5.8, 5.5, 5.2, 5.0, 4.7, 4.5, 4.2, 4.0, 3.7, 3.5

Can anyone recommend a windsurfing friendly car hire company. I'm looking for an estate car,something like a VW Passat Estate with a roof rack that I can pick up at the airport on arrival...Thanks

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snooze said...

Can anyone recommend a windsurfing friendly car hire company. I'm looking for an estate car,something like a VW Passat Estate with a roof rack that I can pick up at the airport on arrival...Thanks

The chance of getting a VW Passat Estate would be pretty damn slim!!! Look for a Ford Falcon or Holden Commodore wagon (station sedan / estate whatever you call it) or a van of any description. Most of the hire companies mostly do little 4cyl hatches and mid to large sedans so it may be hard.

Try South Perth 4WD Rentals they can do a Landcruiser Troop Carrier which will hold all your gear and all your camping stuff pls you can sleep in it easy. Makes your trip to Coronation Bch in Gero (or similar) much more comfy.