I am just starting out windsurfing and would like some advice on sail sizes for local Adelaide conditions. There is a good chance I will be purchasing a 140l Fanatic Shark HRS that is 74 cm wide or something similar. What size sails should I be looking at for sailing Adelaide beaches? I weigh just under 70 KG and 177 cm tall if that makes a difference. Fanatic say the sail range is 6.0 to 8.5. The minimum sail size seems large to me or is this just because of my inexperience?
Get something around 4.7 for windy days and up to 5.7
For lighter days. That would be a start. 140 litres is a good board to start. I would be scouring the web, YouTube etc, for tips as well. Jem hall is a great source of advice.
Leenis. Windsurfing gear is designed for planing, so those sail sizes are the optimal sails for that board in the planing condition. For somebody first starting out, they are miles too big. I agree with Dave, get an 2nd hand 4.7m freeride sail for your beginner phase in light to moderate winds.
I started on a 150L (75cm) board and a 5.3 sail when I started. I struggled for the first month (tips from the above guy), but each person is different and it depends on your age too - The younger you are, the fast you learn. Without knowing you, the board is a good choice with some tips if required.
I have had a few lessons with Matt Stringer over at West Lakes and played on gear at resorts recently and 20 years ago. I have used Matts 6.0 in a storm and got planning for the first time. It killed my arms and back but I was stoked to get planning.
My main query is about going larger or smaller. I already have a shabby 5.2 wave sail but wondering if I really need to go smaller. As I don't have a board yet I don't know if I should get a smaller mast and sail set or just get set up for bigger gear.
There are a couple of local sailors that have offered me masts and sails big and small and I am a little confused on which way I should be going.
My thoughts are to stick with the 5.2 I already own and get a 6.0 on a 430 mast to start with. Then buy a 460 mast and larger sails when I have better rig control. At the risk of answering my own question I will pose the same question to the current owner of the board to see what they have used.
If you got planning probably time to get a harness and learn how to use that. The 6.x should help. All comes down to control, once you can plod around with the 5.2 and get the board going where you want, head up wind, tack, reach, come back to where you started then get bigger sail.
Just go and talk to Matt.
He is always willing to help out and give advice to previous school members and others as well.
