Hi guys... I need some advice...
I am a girl taht weighs 60kg
Where I live wind is usually up to 15knts, sometimes more...
I would like to buy lightweight rig for myself because I want to learn waterstart, and practice tacks and jibes... also do planing when wind is stronger and getting into footstraps..
so what I basicaly need is a lightweight and easy to handle sail with my small hands, but the one that can also get me planing..
I am considerring some options:
-Gaastra Manic 5.7 2013, mast Gaastra 60 RDM 430cm 2014, boom Gaastra T6 Red Line 2014 140-190cm
-NorthSails Curve 5.4 2014, mast NorthSails Silver RDM 430cm, boom NorthSails Silver 2014 140-190cm
-Simmer Iron 5.7 2013, mast Simmer SC6 RDM 430cm, boom Prolimit Team Wave 145-195cm
-RRD Style PRO MKII 5.7, mast Simmer SC6 RDM 430cm, boom Prolimit Team Wave 145-195cm
-Simmer Icon 5.3 2013, mast Simmer RDM6 400cm, boom Prolimit Team Wave 145-195cm
-Nortsails Idol 5.3 2014, mast NorthSails Silver RDM 430cm 2013, Prolimit Team Wave 145-195cm or a NS boom?
-any better recommendations?
looking forward to hear your opinions
I would recommend the Super Freak Hot Sails Maui range. My mum is about 60kg and she has progressed really well on a 5.3.
I own a 2013 manic 5.7 it's my favourite sail actually. It has a nice amount of grunt but what I like about it is it goes nice and neutral during gybes and tacks. I would get the 70% mast for it if you can afford it but if not it will still be fine.
As for lightweight, I have a Severne blade with a gorilla mast and it's an extremely light rig while still having an Xply window. I'm sure there are rigs out there that are as light as the blades but I can tell you it's a little bit lighter than the Manic.
I can't comment on the others but I've used the manic's they are a nice sail. I would definitely consider the blades as well.
there are a few lighter guys at my local spot that really like the simmer icons and from what i've seen the wind range is impressive. can't really go wrong with simmer.
I'd also add the simmer blacktip to the list as well. 4 battens will give you a softer feeling sail with weight savings.http://www.windsurf.co.uk/test/2014-simmer-black-tip-4-2m-test-review-report/
on the other forum guys also think icon 5.3 would suit me best.. now here you say it also... I am closer and closer to my choice... :-) I was checking out a Severne blade in an online store but it's too expensive.. super freak I haven't found anywhere where I can buy it...
would a severne convert on 430 sdm 40%c mast be any good?
or a severne synergy complete rig 5.4 at a special discount? this one is so cheap that you ask yourself is it any good..
First up my advice is forget the other forum, we are better here 
Then you don't need the whole rig from one manufacturer.
Pick the sail you like, the manufacturer's own mast or a suitable other one (ask here what else will work) and the boom / extension can be anything.
What you have listed above would all be very expensive.
I doubt Simmer would suit you best as they traditionally are designed for the heavier sailor (less so now though).
Then - for example Manic is mega durable but heavier and not as stable as a crossover sail. You have picked wavesails (good for durability) but if freeriding and you are light you may like a crossover sail better.
What are you looking for? Durable, light, handling, wind range (stability) ....?
Do you have a local store and what brands do they sell?
Select to expand quoteAtomic13 said..
I would recommend the Super Freak Hot Sails Maui range. My mum is about 60kg and she has progressed really well on a 5.3.
Atomic: The Superfreaks are an excellent sail for specific conditions, but I wouldn't recommend them to a beginner or intermediate.
Zgirl: If you are looking at the Severne range, I would go with the Gators (Freeride). I've been using them for about 5 years, and on my 2nd quiver now. I've tried other makes/models, but I keep returning to the Gators, as they suit me. They are highly configurable, easy to use and rig, and very durable. For the size in 15 knots, I reckon you could go a bit smaller if you are using Gators. 5.0 range, or even 4.7. I plane around on a 85 FSW board and a 4.7 Gator in 15 knots and I'm 75kg with average skills, but that wind is very good (not gusty).
I am basically searching a freeride sail that will not be so heavy while I practice waterstart, tack and jibes...
I would go max 5.3 I think..
unfortunatelly I am kind of limited at what they have in shops in croatia..
what about Simmer Iron 5.0 sail for me?
severne gators they have min 5.7 in size... converts they have smaller also
Where are you based Zgirl? This is an Australian based forum so if you live somewhere else suggestions made may not be reasonable for you.
Far away :-D from you but there are not any active forums near me where I can post a question
typically a freeride sail is aimed at the 5.8m-7.5m range. don't get dragged into a debate about wave versus freeride. a lot of people around the world use wave sails as freeride sails.
I would have thought the iron would be too powerful for you. it's a sail that heavy weight guys tend to like.
^^^ agreed
I she needs to look at mostly monofilm sails, or a very light wavesail like Severnes. But choice in Croatia... hmm, dunno
Select to expand quoteGestalt said..
typically a freeride sail is aimed at the 5.8m-7.5m range. don't get dragged into a debate about wave versus freeride. a lot of people around the world use wave sails as freeride sails.
I would have thought the iron would be too powerful for you. it's a sail that heavy weight guys tend to like.
you think that even a 5.0 would be to powerful for me? in the shop they said Iron is a lighter sail than Icon.. does powerful mean that I could get more speed in lighter winds?
I am negotiating with an online shop for a NP Fusion 5.5 on a NP mast X65... If they can offer me a good price with delivery, I could also consider that an option...
DO you guys think it will be too big sail for me?
Select to expand quoteZgirl said..
I am negotiating with an online shop for a NP Fusion 5.5 on a NP mast X65... If they can offer me a good price with delivery, I could also consider that an option...
DO you guys think it will be too big sail for me?
A 5.5 will be fine in moderate winds for you. You need a big enough sail to get you going. However this all depends on how consistent the winds are where you sail. If you sail in gusty winds then a bigger sail will be needed.
Select to expand quoteMobydisc said..
Zgirl said..
I am negotiating with an online shop for a NP Fusion 5.5 on a NP mast X65... If they can offer me a good price with delivery, I could also consider that an option...
DO you guys think it will be too big sail for me?
A 5.5 will be fine in moderate winds for you. You need a big enough sail to get you going. However this all depends on how consistent the winds are where you sail. If you sail in gusty winds then a bigger sail will be needed.
The mistral wind we have is not a gusty wind at all
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
^^^ agreed
I she needs to look at mostly monofilm sails, or a very light wavesail like Severnes. But choice in Croatia... hmm, dunno
every learner I've ever seen buy a mono sail has eventually put holes in it. sometimes within weeks, other times a year. yet my xply sails which I have trashed are still looking like new.
Select to expand quoteZgirl said..Mobydisc said..
Zgirl said..
I am negotiating with an online shop for a NP Fusion 5.5 on a NP mast X65... If they can offer me a good price with delivery, I could also consider that an option...
DO you guys think it will be too big sail for me?
A 5.5 will be fine in moderate winds for you. You need a big enough sail to get you going. However this all depends on how consistent the winds are where you sail. If you sail in gusty winds then a bigger sail will be needed.
The mistral wind we have is not a gusty wind at all
I think also that I don't need so much power in the sail, I would also feel comfortable with smaller sails... you guys are saying that lots of people are using vawe sails to sail in straight line, so, maybe that could also work for me because I am not a heavy rider... would a NS Volt be a wave sail to sail in a straight line for me maybe, in your opinion
Select to expand quoteZgirl said..
I am negotiating with an online shop for a NP Fusion 5.5 on a NP mast X65... If they can offer me a good price with delivery, I could also consider that an option...
DO you guys think it will be too big sail for me?
I use a Fusion sail, 6.7, and it is light iand easy to handle. They do make a HD version which is stronger, but it is a little more expensive
Select to expand quoteZgirl said..Gestalt said..
typically a freeride sail is aimed at the 5.8m-7.5m range. don't get dragged into a debate about wave versus freeride. a lot of people around the world use wave sails as freeride sails.
I would have thought the iron would be too powerful for you. it's a sail that heavy weight guys tend to like.
you think that even a 5.0 would be to powerful for me? in the shop they said Iron is a lighter sail than Icon.. does powerful mean that I could get more speed in lighter winds?
the difference in the sails is mainly to do with the draft. the icon has less draft and will pull on your sheet hand less because the draft is positioned further forward.
the iron has a deeper draft which equates to more power. because the draft is deeper it also sits back further than on the icon and so the draft on the iron translates into more backhand pressure.
I would recommend a sail which has less backhand pressure without being twitchy so you can maximise your time on the water.
power is really just another way of saying acceleration. a more powerful sail will typically accelerate faster but may also have a reduced top speed because of drag. at 60kg power is less important then say for someone at 100kg because you have the advantage with your weight. a too powerful sail for a lighter sailor can lead to control issues which will slow you down much sooner than anything else.
unless you are racing at pwa level or trying to take out the gps womens category there is no need for you to buy a sail bigger than 5.5m. the idea that you need a big sail to plane in light winds is a very popular belief but in my opinion a large part of what is hindering our sport.
I am negotiating with online shops, some are not responding, some other are talking about the high delivery price...
I think that I am finally buying a simmer icon 5.3 froma local shop.. cause it looks quite durable and I hope after some years I will also be able to sell it if I don't like it... :-) I'll rig it on a mast Simmer RDM 60& carbon... the whole rig should not be too heavy I hope..
hey Gestalt, thanx for a very nice explanation... I will learn a lot here..
SO finally I'm taking an Icon, don't want so much power in my back hand...
The only sizes they have are 4.5 and 5.3 and I am choosing the 5.3...
the reason is that for many years on my "school" board (a Fanatic RAM 145 with middle fin) I was using a 4.5 sail that always felt kind of "slow" for me... that's why I wanted a little bit bigger sail now... a 5.3 I hope would be fine..
hi again guys...
I am in a dilemma again..
A german shop offered me a good deal on the following set:
NS Curve 5.4, NS Gold mast 430 RDM, NS Silver boom 140-190
now it is that versus:
Simmer Icon 5.3, Simmer 60%C RDM 400 mast, Prolimit Team Wave boom 145-190
hm hm
I'd probably go with the Simmer package because of the 400 mast, being a lightweight, you'll find the 400 to be more useful to you later on as that you probably won't be getting into very big sails.
No Ezzy's available? That's my best advice, the Elite 4 batten and the Taka 3 batten sails are just about the rangiest sails out there as well as being very light. The Taka is pretty specialized (strictly waves) but either would work really well for learning and improving.
Hi Z girl
I am a lady just under 60 kg. When I was learning my favourite sails were a 4.5 wave sail and a 5m free ride sail. We probably get stronger wind than you, around 18-20 knots on average so 5-5.5 would be my recommendation for you. Even now 5.7 is my favourite size.
I don't think the brand matters too much, as long as the sail matches the mast in bend curve. If they are both the same brand they will. Other brands, you will need to do some research.
I think the boom diameter is very important for ladies with small hands. Try to get one with a grip diameter of 25-26mm. I have a North wave boom myself, 140 - 190 and I really like it. It fits all my sails except my biggest which is 7.5m. You won't be needing one of those for a while!
As for putting holes in monofilm, it's not much of a problem for lightweights. My sails have only developed splits after many years and a lot of wear and tear.
Any of them are fine, just get the cheapest and save the cash when you progress to a smaller board.
Some tips:
Masts and booms generally last for a long time, so better to get good ones from the start, then just keep them. Sails don't last forever and you might want to upgrade, so you can go cheap on these at first.
It can help to have all the same model of sail, so you are used to it and how it rigs/ feels.
A lot of the newer sails rig on shorter masts, which means not buying an additional mast for example - I would encourage this.
Good luck!
Al
I am getting a Simmer Icon... it is a good sail and it is on discount in a local shop...
I've been checking out Ezzy sails Elite.. well, they don't sell Ezzies in Croatia... I have found it in a german online shop and it's expensive.. It would be even more expensive for me to deliver it to Croatia..
Select to expand quoteZgirl said..
I am getting a Simmer Icon... it is a good sail and it is on discount in a local shop...
I've been checking out Ezzy sails Elite.. well, they don't sell Ezzies in Croatia... I have found it in a german online shop and it's expensive.. It would be even more expensive for me to deliver it to Croatia..
How would for example, a Simmer Blacktip 5,3 be different for me from Simmer Icon 5,3? You think it would be better or?
