Which sails to bring to SoCal?

[trance_dude]

Hey there SoCal windsurfers - I'm visiting the LA area for about three weeks starting next Monday. Will mainly be working but can probably sail in the afternoons and weekends, so I'm going to bring my stuff, namely a 96L board and some sails. The options for sails are 6.3, 5.3, 4.7, 4.2. (I have a 5.7 coming on order but unfortunately it is not here yet). All will work on the board I'm bringing. I weigh 170 w equipment.

After much effort it appears I can only fit two sails in my travel bag. Which two do you guys think I should bring? I'm thinking 6.3 and 5.3, the reason being that most of my sessions will probably be at Cabrillo and if I remember correctly you need to rig a little big there relative to what the iWindsurf wind reading says. Are 6.3/5.3 sail sizes "typically" seen at Cabrillo in the summer?

But there's also a chance that I could get away for a weekend to somewhere up the coast, and if the wind was good I'd then hope that the 5.3 would work. However I'd hate to find myself needing a 4.7 or smaller and not have it. I suppose I'd be disproportionately more disappointed to miss a really good session like that. But don't want to slog at Cabrillo either.

Any thoughts from locals are greatly appreciated! Thanks much!

[gerritt]

Its LA. Big and bigger.

[dubious]

6.3 and 5.7 if you had it.

[dllee]

Kevin Kan, who posts here and is an expert level freestyle sailor, weighs 190, and brings a 88 Fanatic freestyle and 86 wave board with a 4.2 and 4.4 sail for Cabrillo.
But you can easily bring your biggest gear, or bigger, like a 110 slalom board and 7.8 meter slalom sail.

[trance_dude]

Thanks for the color guys.

Looks like I will definitely pack the 6.3.

Then decide between the 5.3 and the 4.7. I suppose the 4.7 would give me the most combined range.

Good to know that someone sails Cabrillo with smaller gear, although I'm sure that at his level Kevin is extremely efficient at utilizing the wind. I'm getting more efficient but I doubt 4.4 or 4.2 is going to be fun for me there.

Oh, one other question, I notice that last week the iWindsurf forecast was way off from the realized wind. The forecast had been saying around 10 mph usually while the "wind archives" says it's been around 12-25. I'm assuming it's actually been windy? Without the forecast being accurate do you guys just wait until afternoon and then check the actual?

Thanks much! Hope to see y'all there.

[human_catapult]

[jp5]

5.3, 5.7, 6.3 should pretty much cover it.

[swchandler]

I think that it's fair to say that many SoCal spots tend to read a bit high when considering the average. I know C Street reads high by 3-4mph, and I've heard that Cabrillo reads a bit high too, but I haven't sailed it in many years. Your 6.3 and 5.3 should suit you very well for summer wind conditions, which tend to be thermally driven. During winter and spring months, smaller sails can be the call with passing storm fronts.

[NOVAAN]

Just bring your bigger stuff and go to Cabrillo. Its the only place that gets reliable wind this time of year. Its an afternoon blow so that should work for you. I think 6.3 and 5.3. Almost never a need for a 4.7 Think about a lake Isabel trip. about 3 ish hrs. from L.A. 4.7 a bunch there. Leo can get windy but its hit or miss this time of year with heavy beach crowds...

[cbknap]

For the most useful information read the lowest line on the Cabrillo meter (the alleged lull) as if it is the average. Gust is still the gust. 6.3 and 5.3 is a good call. Windy almost every day this time of year...but bring a weed fin if you have one. Have fun!