I have to agree with mk7 on one thing:
The most valuable thing I find with the wind meter is the average windspeed rather than the peaks
As to all the arguments on Wind Speed vs height etc - if you look at the BOM site - the height of the station is listed.
As a point of reference at Wello on the last big westerly I was reading consistent gusts coming through at 28-29 knots (backing off to 15 knots in the lulls). I measured a couple of gusts at 35-36 knots. Oh and it got stronger after I went out.
For reference.
I'm 86 kg
13-22 knots 7.0 103 litre board.
15-25 knots 6.0 103 or 90 litre board
20 knots plus 6.0 or 5.6 with 90 litre or 68 litre board.
25 - 34 knots 80 or 68 litre board with 5.6.
30+ Consider the 4.7
43+ go home - just no fun in choppy water.
I have considerable overlap with my kit. Fins also make a huge difference, area, depth, material all contribute to how early you can plane.
I usually check out what others are on if possible. Otherwise checking the water state is best for me. HOWEVER - whitecaps are not to be trusted for this - obvioulsy shallower water, tide opposing the wind etc will make it look windier if you rely on whitecaps to judge the wind. I think look at the little ripples between the waves/chop - they are unaffected by most factors except the wind so after a while you get used to using them as a gauge.
I usually take 5knots off the BOM/seabreeze readings just to be on the safe side and not get myself too excited about how its blowing 30knots. Best bet - wait for green arrows!!! :)
For ref - I fluctuate between around 100-105kg:
12-18knots - 6.1m/108ltr Freestyle board
18-22knots - 5.8/5.4m + FS board /91ltr wave
22-30 5.0m on either board depending on sailing spot and what type of sailing i am preferring at the time (i.e freestyling is much easier/fun on small sail/FS board so will often take that combo if its not in the waves)
30+: 4.7/ 90ltr wave board.
I personally dont like using big sails due to my sailing style, and find that in anything over 13knots i can pump up the 6.1m and it will stay up on the plane quite well.
