Hi guys,
have been thinking of giving Formula sailing / racing a go. I have a few years of short board sailing and dinghy sailing behind me. I am 6"2 and 80 kg. I have noticed a few Starboard 162 second hand boards for sale, how would they be suited for the Formula Free Class. Given my weight would I be better off starting with a 10m2 sail. Any advice would be appreciated
Hi PS,
Starboard 162 would suit you just fine. I am heavier then you and use a 161 (when I get on the water these days).
The 70kg guys go really well with their 10's but at 80kgs you may struggle a little when the winds are light, but you will be just right when the wind gets up.
You would have the opposite issue with an 11m sail though.
Its a tough call to choose a sail size that will let you race in all winds, most guys that race have 2 sails to cover the range.
Get some gear and get on the water, its tonnes of fun, irrespective of how competitive you are.
JB
Getting involved is easy thanks to the "Free Formula" division. There are a lot of new people involved also, so you are in good company.
If you are in NSW there are 2 events coming up that you can check it all out.
next weekend in Sydney, then down at Jervis Bay.
Some helpful web sites:
www.tour.windsurfingnsw.com
www.storm-riders.com.au
www.fw-australia.com
Drop me an email about equipment that will suit as we have club gear that you can try first to get an idea what it is all about first....Cheers.
PS,
10m sail is a good start, easier to get the body used to the stresses of FW. It will be your high wind sail when you eventually get an 11m or 12m sail for light wind. Many brand sails will use the same mast for a 10 as for 11 (or even a 12 in the case of North) & that can be cheaper.
2nd hand gear is fine, cheap & plenty of it.
For boards, any starboard from 159 on is good (there is an old 159 for $350 in Newcastle), JP is also good. Try to get the best condition board you can afford & leave some money for a decent fin.
You may knock it around a bit while learning so I would avoid new gear till you are going better & will have a better idea of what you want.
Try to get a boom that will do for the range of sails you may end up using. If you think a 12m sail is the likely long run choice then get a big boom. If you feel 11m is the limit (quite a few guys, myself included, go no bigger than 11) then a smaller boom, say 275 or so, is lighter & easier than a longer one.
Don't worry about beating everyone yet, there is good racing trying to beat the guys at your own level, the second hand gear should be competitive enough, may take a few months to beat Sam Parker. Come to the regattas & there will be plenty of equipment to see & advice on gear & stuff. Where are you? Marmong races on Sat arvos if no regatta & we have all levels of sailors.
