What Size Sails Do I Need In My Quiver?

Hi Sam,
Its interesting to hear your comments in regards to the blades. Your experience is very different from mine. I find that the blades have plenty of power and I'm able to sail with smaller sizes and it is easy to get overpowered if I want to land certain loops. I have felt from observation that you often sail underpowered to what you should be on considering you are not all that much lighter than me. This may be contributing to your underpowered feeling. Against what I have said above, if I need to, I can also hang onto my Blades and find then still controllable when very overpowered. I think they are great sails.

That said, if you think they aren't for you and you like the feel of the Gators then that's great too because windsurfing is about individuality and what works for you.

In regards to sizes, I have the same as you and have stuck with those increments for the last 20 years and they work well for me. So currently I'm on 3.3, 3.7, 4.2, 4.7 and 5.3.

Good luck finding what works for you.

Hi Sambo,
If you're looking to offload Blades, let me know. I've just posted in the Tas forum looking for some second hand. Probably 4.2/4.7/5.3 or similar. I can arrange freight from a drop off in north adelaide.

I've also thought about Gators, but more in the larger sizes for freeride conditions in the summer months, although more leaning towards Ezzy Cheetah lately, based on SB comments.

I sail in similar b&j offshore conditions, but err on the side of overpowered in case of wind dropping out (which is frequent in my neck of the woods). You could always try bumping up one sail size &!see how you go?

Doesn't really answer your question as some self appointed SB moderator will point out, but good luck.
Cheers,
Mort

I wonder if Gators are like NP Fusions? Fwiw, I found the fusions pulled too hard and I didn't find them particularly stable, but I really needed the extra power when learning. I think they are best for heavier sailors. 4-batten NP combat - soft in the hands, but not very stable. 2017 blades - super stable, light in the hands, best sail I've ever used. (To be fair, I only ever rigged NP sails on 65% masts). BTW I'm 70 kg, sailing in rough bay conditions. 4.2/4.7/5.3, but it feels like I could get away with bigger gaps.

I would agree that gators would be a better fit for the style of sailing you do .Blades have a more off on feel ,being a wave sail,so require more technique to get through lulls.
blades are highly tuneable though to get the most out of any condition ,bag or flatten them out from recommended specs.Also new 2017 blade feels alot gruntier than older versions .Stick with the half meter gaps but you could space out the larger sizes more eg 5.0- 5.7 and close up the small ones 3.7-4.0 with a 4.5 in the middle.

Then you'd have to go 3.3 unless you did the 3.5-4.0.
My quiver always has a 5.0 blade as its the perfect size for most of the clean wave days not to big and clunky or twitchy on the wave.Seems to have a big tuning range as well if the wind picks up.I'm 70kg hope this helps.

Ummmmmm, go large or go home. A lot of people are sailing so underpowered. Try using the larger sail each time, can always apply a little more downhaul. Lean back a little more.

Can't comment on the different sails but as a lightweight ( although heavier than you at 65kgs) maybe it's that the sails are designed for c 80kg guys so they are designed for best performance in a stronger wind strength than you use them in? e'g - I use a 7 cambered sail in 12- 18kts . A 80kg guy they would probably use this in say 20-25kts? maybe more.. so they are probably designed to work best in these conditions?
I'm sure the sails are optimised for heavier people and winds so they may not be give the feel they are designed for for lighter winds??? Just a thought...
I know I have a 115 freemove board ( potato chip 75cm wide). I use it in 5-15kt but I'd imagine they are designed for 15kts +.
I usually am on a smaller board in 15kts + but a few times when I've been caught out in 15kts + the board just seems to come to life! I think..hey so this is what it's designed for ?
What do people think am I barking up the wrong tree or is there something in this line of thought?
Ps - I started with wavesails when I was freeriding ( I used to wavesail so didn't know any different.) I've since switched to cam sails for speedsailing and when I go back to the wavesails I hate the on / off power.. I think a freeride sail would be much better especially if you tend to rig to be controllable in the gusts rather than plane in the lulls.