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advice on new sail

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Created by Fall off boy > 9 months ago, 4 Jan 2009
Fall off boy
25 posts
4 Jan 2009 2:13AM
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Hey, i need advice on getting a new sail.
i am 13 years old, weigh 42 kg, ive been windsurfing for 2 1/2 years but sailing for 6 1/2 and currently useing a naish ripper 110 (click link to view, /images/misc/forum-image-missing.gif, if link works). Im currently useing an aerotech 3.2 trainer (click link to view, www.surfingsports.com/aerotech_kids_rig.asp, if link works) sail.

Im byuing a new rig becouse the one i have now feels weak and deosn't give me much power. I have just purchased a new harness and think i can handle a bigger sail. I can barely plane in 15 knots and can hardly use the harness in 10-13.

I would like a sail that i can use in most conditions and is easy to handle. Not to hard to up-hual and but still gives me some power.

to find out what the wind is like where i sail use this link www.windguru.cz/310

It would help me lots when choosing a sail to buy if you would give me different opinions.
Thank you.

Mobydisc
NSW, 9029 posts
4 Jan 2009 8:37AM
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Hi Fall off boy,

That link to windguru didn't work for me. You probably need to work out your budget and then make some decisions based on that. Not sure of the boom and mast you are currently using but there is a fair chance you will have to go for a full new rig.

Looking at your board, you could probably get a 5.5 or 6 meter sail which will get you going in lighter winds. Try to work out what wind conditions you usually get (you may already have done so) and then spend most of your money in one rig that you will use most of the time. If you mainly sail on flat water then go for a flat water oriented sail range. However if you have ambitions for freestyle or waves look at sails designed for those styles.

If your budget is limited then check out the Seabreeze buy and sell. Someone may have the sort of gear you need for sale.

Fall off boy
25 posts
4 Jan 2009 11:01AM
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thanks for the help but u think 5.5 or 6m might be too hard for me to up-hual.
i only weigh 42kg.

MavericK040
WA, 583 posts
4 Jan 2009 9:44PM
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it may be hard to uphaul , but soon you will learn to water and beach start then size is not an issue.

Do you wanna get out there and be blasting around having fun in the sun or do you wanna be uphauling a 4mt sail and floating around near the shore . . .

Its upto you

Fall off boy
25 posts
4 Jan 2009 10:40PM
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true.
But... the sail also needs a low boom which could be an issue

lanky
QLD, 213 posts
5 Jan 2009 8:36AM
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Hey,

There is a young guy down here (14 years) who uses a gaastra poison 5.0 sail as his main sail. He seems to be able to get planing in nearly nothing and can hold it down in conditions were im on a 5.3 and a im 75kg. So a Poison might be a good option.

Fall off boy
25 posts
5 Jan 2009 9:00PM
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i goty an aerotech action all round 5.0
it works well for me only problem is i can't get a harness on, im looking at getting longer harness lines

mikeAUS146
WA, 111 posts
6 Jan 2009 12:47PM
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As long as you can work your sail, you will easily be able to get away with a 4.0.

Many of the older generation will tell you "get a seat harness and a 7.5, you'll be right!".

Don't listen...Im 75kg's and as soon as it hits 22 knots I'm on my 4.0, planing around the whole time. My main sail is a 4.7.

The smaller and lighter your rig is, the easier it will be to learn things, like water starting, beach starting, jibing, jumping, etc etc.

My opinion is don't get anything bigger than a 4.5, at your weight.

Long Reef
SA, 583 posts
6 Jan 2009 7:18PM
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Invest in a 905 Carbon RDM 370 mast or even a 400 such as Powerex which will suit most sails up to 5.0. Having a light mast makes uphauling so much easier and this sort of mast will last you years as you progress. For low boom height try Hot Sails Maui which have spent a lot of R&D creating a range of gear specific for kids.
Good luck and keep sailing

seano
NSW, 150 posts
7 Jan 2009 11:23PM
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if you are worried about uhauling you could try getting an "easy uphaul"
quite a few guys that sail formula use these, they hook into your harness hook & use your body weight to uphaul, rather than wearing out your upper body.

Fall off boy
25 posts
7 Jan 2009 10:31PM
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that easy up-hual thing was pritty cool
never seen one though... ill look into it

FilthyAmatuer
WA, 877 posts
7 Jan 2009 10:33PM
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or just learn to waterstart... the quickest way is when its hard to uphaul



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