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The big sails
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DanWeiss



Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 2296
Location: Connecticut, USA

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 1:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bred2shred wrote:
I raced Formula for about 5 years and spent a lot of time sailing the gear on inland lakes. If you sail in a predominantly light wind venue and want to plane consistently, then big gear is definitely the way to go. But you have to keep in mind that this equipment works as a system - you can not put a 12 meter sail on a mid-size free ride board and expect it to work. Big sails require big boards and big fins, so if you're looking at a sail in the 10 - 12 meter range, you should also be thinking big board (85 - 100 cm wide) and big fin (65 - 70 cm deep).

Success with this gear depends on both rider skill and tuning. Big guys can handle 11 meter sails when it's gusting to 20 mph, but it is for sure a handful and your strength and skill needs to be there. Proper downhaul setting and a carbon boom with an adjustable outhaul are more or less a requirement.

Realistically, a person of average size (say 5'10", 180 Lbs) free sailing probably doesn't have much need for a 12 meter sail unless the wind averages in the 5-10 mph range. An 11 meter sail would be good for winds in the 8-15 mph range and a 10 meter sail for about 10-18 mph.

These are just approximations, as I said, much has to do with how you tune the gear, your skill, the rest of your kit, etc. But one thing is for sure, if you want to get in a lot of planing time and improve your planing skills in a light wind venue, then big gear is the way to go.

sm


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carl



Joined: 25 Feb 1997
Posts: 2674
Location: SF bay area

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 1:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RTZ,
Since you have never sailed anything bigger that 7.5, I would suggest no
bigger than 9.0 or 9.5. It's a nice step up and will get you planing in much lighter wind. Bigger than that is a handful in gusts, hard to waterstart/uphaul and hard to carry off water.
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dcharlton



Joined: 24 Apr 2002
Posts: 414

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 2:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Go 9.0, you'll be surprised at the additional power you'll have over the 7.5.
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wynsurfer



Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 940

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just sold my 9.0 no regrets what so ever. Looking into foils.
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acalhounguy



Joined: 25 May 2013
Posts: 57

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My Ezzy 9.5M Lion is my most used sail here in the Midwest. Now I wish I could use my 5.4 all the time but it isn't reality. I could go for a foil but we have weeds and shallow lakes so that isn't the best option either. The 9.5 is a great sail that has a massive range.

My second most used sails are a 7.5 and a 12 - both of which are rigged at my lake but the only one that is going to get used in the next few days is the 12.0

It now only takes me about 10-15 minutes to rig. I have a big chinook aluminum boom to save cost. The rig is heavy but manageable in the intended wind range. It gets going a little earlier than the 9.5 - also, goes up wind better and planes through lulls better. Cams are still a pain.

I use the 12 when I want to plane and there's no good wind in the
forecast - which is common. It isn't for everybody. The wind range for the 12 is just slightly lower than the 9.5.

I use both sails with a Starboard Ultrasonic and a big weed fin.
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rtz



Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 296
Location: Oklahoma City

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 9:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I’m really surprised the useable Wind range for the 12m doesn’t include the 1-5mph range.

What is the absolute lowest wind speed for planing?

I was just out slogging on my 7.5m and all I could think about was the larger sails.
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grantmac017



Joined: 04 Aug 2016
Posts: 946

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 11:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The only thing that works under 8mph is a longboard.
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cgoudie1



Joined: 10 Apr 2006
Posts: 2597
Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove

PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would say the only thing that works under 10MPH is a longboard, and you won't be planning on it, but it'll work. Unless you're into lightwind freestyle, which isn't really windsurfing in my opinion.

-Craig

grantmac017 wrote:
The only thing that works under 8mph is a longboard.
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rtz



Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 296
Location: Oklahoma City

PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well that's a real downer if nothing will plane with under 10mph wind.
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windward1



Joined: 18 Jun 2000
Posts: 1400

PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 1:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well rtz, welcome to the real world of physics.
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