Would a Kona One board allow me to step down on the sail size for the same light winds as compared to a shortboard? I weigh 83 kg and I have a Bic Core 293. I do sail mostly in light winds ( 12 knts or so) and the minimum sail size I have to use is 8.5 m2. Otherwise I don’t even move. This sail is heavy to flip around for jibing and tacking and even heavier to uphaul. It breaks my back after a few hours of uphauling. If I got a Kona One would I be able to reduce the sail size from an 8.5 or even a 9.5 to 6 0r 6.5 m2 in order sub-plane just as effectively or even more effectively in light winds as compared to my current Bic 293 ?
Thanks
Francone
If you get a longboard you will be able to light wind cruise easily. I weigh about 83kg and my biggest sail is a 7.8 Naish GP slalom sail, that I've used regularly on a retro longboard (366 by 70). I can cruise, tack, gybe, etc and there is just enough wind to hold me up in the harness.
I think the bigger sails are easier to manage with a more stable longboard, probably because you arn't working hard to keep a less vol. short board on course all the time.
Sometimes I might go out with a 6.6 North s-type which is nice and light easy to flick around, etc, just to muck around, but maybe not enough to hold you up in the harness as much, cruise just as well though.
Cambered sails are better in lighter winds as you can tune them to have a deep profile and they will keep their shape. The smaller the luff pocket the easier they are to uphaul.
I recently upgraded to a Phantom 377 and am enjoying that even more, at the moment the 7.8 is sufficient with about 3-4cm negative downhaul to tighten the leech, and neutral to negative outhaul, but may upgrade to an 8.5 or 9.5 race sail later... just see how we go.
I would say give it a go.
