The past couple sessions at Pelican point, I have been underwhelmed with my 6.2m Neil Pryde Alpha and Drake Freeslalom 380 fin. I know a lot of it was technique and experience, but I only got to plane about 20% of the time and I got catapulted because my fin hit weed/ground a few times.

I am now looking for a larger sail (hopefully can fit on my 430 mast and boom max of 200cm). One that is not CAM and is dirt cheap ($100? :) - does not need to be pretty as long as it works. Any recommendation? Someone recommended a 6.7m Hellcat, but as I already have a 6.2m, I was hoping on a bit bigger (like 7m?)

Again for a fin, what would be recommended weed fin that is cheap and does the job? It needs to be Tuttle.

Thanks

ps. I'm 72kg on a Kode 122l at basic improver level.

Not many options for bigger sails on a 430, especially cheaper options which will mean older. Wait for more wind instead Wont be long now 'till the seabreezes are working properly and you'll be going for your 4.7 rather than the 6.2

As for fins, the Flying Objects weedsters are a good option. According to the dealer guide I found online the B&J/wave model is available in tuttle, which might suit the Kode and your level better than the Freeride/Race version.

^^^ agreed, only in the last few years have we had bigger than 6.2 on a 430. You will get a 7 on it, but not for $100 I reckon.

Importantly - sure your Kode is not actually Powerbox...?

Hi Grumpy,

There was an arrows 6.5 freeride on gumtree for $50 that will go on a 430. I have a pristine - like used a handful of times - Arrows 6.4 Fusion that is grunty down low and fast at the other end..and I rig it on a 430 and it has adjustable head and goes well on my 460 NP X6. I love the sail and planned to keep it as back up but you can have it for $100. You can try it first if you like.
I don't think you need any more fin than 38 and yes, same size for vertical and weed, generally speaking. A good fin and ensuring your sail is rigged correctly and you will be truckin

You can adjust the power of your sail by using negative outhaul. Have it so your sail is touching the other side of boom for max power. I see many beginners pulling the outhaul like the downhaul which actually makes the sail too twitchy and gutless. The weed at peli is only close in. Weed fins are not required at peli if you are careful for the first few hundred metres. Also weed fins are terrible upwind and for general feel so better save your money.

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petermac33 said..
You can adjust the power of your sail by using negative outhaul. Have it so your sail is touching the other side of boom for max power. I see many beginners pulling the outhaul like the downhaul which actually makes the sail too twitchy and gutless. The weed at peli is only close in. Weed fins are not required at peli if you are careful for the first few hundred metres. Also weed fins are terrible upwind and for general feel so better save your money.

I have not heard of 'negative outhaul' for a while, and certainly never on a wavesail.

Rig it as designed, you do not gain anything by bagging out wavesails, as the leading edge collapses and then it won't go upwind.
You are right about not pulling it tight, but it will not EVER be negative on an Alpha. Rigged right will be about 50 - 70mm outhaul from the neutral position and juussst touch the side of a WAVE boom (that's pretty narrow)
If he took your advice on a freeride boom that Alpha would be unsailable.

Ok,my mistake. I did try a 4.5 metre wave sail once in strong wind and found it super twitchy. Guess I'm just used to sailing race sails where bagging them out seems to be the way to go.

^^^ twitchiness can just be a short boom length that you are not used to.
When I lived a spot using 5.6 all summer, my 4.2 felt twitchy and horrible. Then I moved to a windy spot using 4.2 and 4.7 a lot and suddenly they were not twitchy.

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petermac33 said..

Ok,my mistake. I did try a 4.5 metre wave sail once in strong wind and found it super twitchy. Guess I'm just used to sailing race sails where bagging them out seems to be the way to go.

you do lose the 'light' feeling, race sails benefit from a better pumping technique then bagging them out; as in front hand just in front of the harness lines back hand half way to the clew and a full body pump not a little play and tickle with the sail, get into it like you want to get planing, as in your the big swiss guy crushing stuff...

and usually it means you need a bigger sail

122L board, 72Kg, and a 6.2m, 38cm, bursh up your technique for sure, that for you sir is a 15 knot set up