Need smaller sail for heavier winds on Kona One

Xxwindsurfer · Joined: 17 Feb 2015 Posts: 45

I have enjoyed sailing my weight appropriate Kona sail (8.2) in winds that are between about 10 and 18 mph. I can plane intermittently and cruise in the harness in sub-planing winds. This is the sweet spot for me. At my age and experience level I probably won't get too much better.

My difficulty comes with heavier winds. I can't water start.
I have used an old 5.4 Sailworks retro that I can handle but it clearly does not give me anywhere near the performance of the kona sail in lighter winds.
Any suggestions?

wynsurfer · Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Posts: 940

Learn to waterstart! It is imperative to being able to sail in winds above 12 kts.
The 5.4 Retro should work fine in winds above 18 kts. Trying to uphaul in 20 kts. with all the chop is difficult to say the least. Use the Retro only when it is windy enough.

How old are you? Don't sell yourself short. Many of us here are in our 60's and 70's and can sail sinkers in gale force winds.

Look into taking some lessons. It is money well spent.

gvogelsang · Joined: 09 Nov 1988 Posts: 435

If I had an 8.2 Kona sail, I would be looking for something in the 6.5 range as my next size down.

Indeed, I have a new 8.0 Ezzy Cheetah, and my next size down is a Cheetah 6.5.

Shucks, for those of us challenged by age and ability, the Cheetah is a wonderful sail - light in the hands, and easy to get the tuning correct with the Ezzy aids on the tack and clue (bottom and boom end) of the sail.

Keep the Retro for winds in the mid-20's.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

U2U2U2 · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 6:07 pm Post subject:

Well...the performance on the 2 sails will be different, like suggested maybe a newer better performing smaller would be better, 6.0--6.5.

To learn water starting it is much easier on a smaller board.

If it's really windy up-hauling may not work .

No one has ever been out on large gear when the wind picked up..hah

Water starting opens a new chapter of adventures.

Your situation is part of the charm, get on with it

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

i have successfully used a 5.8 sail in gales with the kona one.

look for something with guts though. as an example, the freespeed or phantom would be great in that size range. phantom 6.2 has great wind range with a fast cross venue board or onshore wave board too.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

I would suggest a 5 batten wave sail around 6.0 The shorter boom on the wave sails makes it a bit easier to up haul. Plus they weigh less than a 6 or7 batten freeride sail. Modern wave sails are fast and stable with great wind range. Also they are built to take some abuse that a newbie is sure to dish out. Ezzy Panther or Tiger is one that comes to mind.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 7:07 pm Post subject:

I would think a Ezzy Elite6.1 which is 4batten.
But only think and not write it

Leave the color up to you

Sailboarder · Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 656

I'm heavier than the OP and sail a 9.0 Kona. Next steps down for me are 7.5 and 6.0 Ezzy Freerides. I use them often with the Kona. I even had sucess with a 5.2, but it would work in a limited range of water conditions for me.

If you are keeping your Retro 5.4, you might as well find a Retro around 6.5. It would be a decent sail spacing.

For the 6.0, I normally use a 40 cm fin. I think you should find a smaller fin too, around 40 is a good step down from the 46. The MFC liquid pros used to be similar to the Kona fins. Changing the fin is really important too, don't skimp on that.

wynsurfer · Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Posts: 940

A 6.5 would come in handy for sure. Retro , Ezzy Cheetah, Freespeed, etc.