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Wave Sails vs Freeride Sails
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Yets



Joined: 12 Oct 2008
Posts: 16

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:07 pm    Post subject: Wave Sails vs Freeride Sails Reply with quote

I am wondering what the differences are between wave and freeride sails? This question is more based on what sail I buy next. I sail in Ohio with winds that are commonly 13-18 which is great for my 8m retro however I would like to replace my 6.5m Ezzy Superlite with a high performance sail for those really windy days.
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kmf



Joined: 02 Apr 2001
Posts: 503

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What does really windy mean?

Freeride sails have a lower foot, for more power, have more battens than a wave sail, and can use tublar battens or cams for high wind stability. They also come in larger sizes.

A smaller Reto would probably do you well. A 6.5 Reto is a rangy fast sail which has a huge range. But it all depends what you call windy. How much do you weigh? What is your primary board? Etc.

KMF
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PeconicPuffin



Joined: 07 Jun 2004
Posts: 1830

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:33 pm    Post subject: Re: Wave Sails vs Freeride Sails Reply with quote

Yets wrote:
I am wondering what the differences are between wave and freeride sails? This question is more based on what sail I buy next. I sail in Ohio with winds that are commonly 13-18 which is great for my 8m retro however I would like to replace my 6.5m Ezzy Superlite with a high performance sail for those really windy days.


Speaking broadly (as we're not discussing specific brands or models) wave sails are a little heavier and a lot tougher than freeride sails. They are rarely as fast as freeride sails. They are more expensive than camless freeride sails.

If you're not sailing in punishing conditions (waves or heavy chop) you'll probably be happier with a freeride sail. Retros are highly tuneable...if you like your current Retro then you'd do well to get another.

I sail a quiver almost entire of wave sails these days, even though wave sailing is no more than 25% of my windsurfing. Freeride sails don't hold up well for me in the surf!

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d0uglass



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 1286
Location: Bonita Springs, Florida

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wavesails have "on / off" power because they'll bulge with wind when you sheet in and pump, but flatten when you sheet out. That gives you a lot of control over your speed and power, which is nice for carving and jumping and negotiating rough water. The short boom and high foot is also nice for jibing and tricks.

If you just want to blast along in a straight line, a freeride sail is better because the low foot lets you close the gap onto the board, the draft of the sail is more stable, and there is more twist at the top to smooth out the gusts while you stay sheeted in.

A good rule of thumb is wavesails for 3-footstrap board setups, and freeride sails for 4-footstrap board setups.
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Khardin



Joined: 02 Oct 2007
Posts: 51
Location: Cleveland Ohio

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

"Really Windy" in Ohio is 25-30mph winds. The smallest I have ever seen someone rig here in the last year and a half is a 5.4 and he only weighed 130lbs.

Last edited by Khardin on Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:28 am; edited 1 time in total
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sailingjoe



Joined: 06 Aug 2008
Posts: 1087

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's about time someone mentioned matching sail to board. I've been advised that a freeride sail won't work as well with a wave board as a corresponding wave sail. I haven't really had enough experience to verify that. Freeride sails fit a general catagory within which many varieties of sails fit. The term freerace was coined to describe large sails with no cams. If you are really interested do a forum search on the various terms.
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jingebritsen



Joined: 21 Aug 2002
Posts: 3371

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Term Freerace is actually a little broader than listed in above posting. Includes 3 cams or less as well as camless. Overlaps heavily with freeride. IOW, racey, but just short of the mark, or still friendly to weekend warriors, etc.
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Wind-NC.com



Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 980
Location: Formerly Cape Hatteras, now Burlington, VT!

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For most 6.5 type conditions I'd probably recommend just sticking with what you know works- the Retro. Unless, of course, you weighed 250 pounds and sailed a 6.5 when it was blowing 30, at which point you'd want to think about getting something a little more suited to the rougher water that comes with that much wind.

Actually, Sailworks' simple lineup is a great portrayal of the different types of sails and when/where they work-

Retro (freeride)- Low cut foot, lots of hollow tube battens, incredible stability, range, and speed. They reward a "locked and loaded" stance and match up well with slalomy freeride boards with two back straps and big fins. The Retro works great in flatter water and conditions where the sailor isn't afraid to "sheet home" and go uber fast.

Revo (wave)- higher cut foot, solid rod battens, still great stability and range, but more maneuver oriented than speed. They reward a more upright stance and match up well with freestyle or wavy types of boards with a single back strap and smaller wavyer fins. The Revo works great in rougher water where control is higher on the priority list than all out speed.


That's not to say that you can't use a Revo on a slalom board or can't use a Retro on a wave board- it just won't feel as perfect as matching up the right bits and pieces does with the right sailing style.

Hope that helps Very Happy
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U2U2U2



Joined: 06 Jul 2001
Posts: 5467
Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ezzy Freeride 3

Sailworks Hucker

would be my picks

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jingebritsen



Joined: 21 Aug 2002
Posts: 3371

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hucker pulls from on high, Tabou. Isn't that a bit ambitious for someone so new? Wouldn't it be better for someone to grow into using that later in the WS career?
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